Remarkable Response of Metastatic Gallbladder Carcinoma to Apatinib After Failed Multiline Chemotherapies: A Case Report and Literature Review

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a relatively rare and aggressive malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. A systematic review of current clinical studies illustrates an extreme paucity of second-line therapeutic options following the failure of standard-of-care cisplatin-gemcitabine chemotherapy. The efficacy of apatinib, an highly potent and selective oral inhibitor of VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase, for refractory advanced GBC has not yet been clarified. Herein, we report a case of advanced GBC that presented a durable partial response to apatinib used as monotherapy after the failure of multiline chemotherapies including S-1 monotherapy, capecitabine monotherapy, gemcitabine plus capecitabine, and irinotecan plus oxaliplatin. The patient achieved an efficacy of partial response within 2 months. By September 23, 2019, the duration of treatment had extended for almost 1 year with a satisfactory quality of life, and the administration of apatinib was continued. Dose reduction of apatinib occurred at week four due to grade 2 hypertension and hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR). No fatigue, proteinuria, mucositis, or thrombocytopenia occurred. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a successful use of apatinib monotherapy for heavily pretreated GBC. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of apatinib in GBC.

Antiangiogenic effect of crocin on breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231

Background

Crocin is the major chemical constituent of the Chinese herb saffron. A number of studies have indicated that crocin induces an antitumor effect by inhibiting proliferation and inducing the apoptosis of tumor cells. However, the effect of crocin on tumor angiogenesis remains unknown.

Methods

The effects of prolonged crocin exposure on breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mice were examined.

Results

Crocin had a profound effect on the morphology and proliferation rate of MDA-MB-231 and HUVECs. Furthermore, crocin induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. This confirms that crocin induces the inhibition of HUVECs. Furthermore, the expression of CD34 in tumor tissues decreased after crocin treatment.

Conclusions

Crocin has an anti-angiogenesis effect that may be correlated to the decreased expression of CD34. Crocin is likely to be involved in the regulation of molecules in the angiogenesis pathway.

Ganglioside GM3 and Its Role in Cancer

Ganglioside GM3 is strongly related with human tumors, such as lung, brain cancers and melanomas, and more and more evidences have revealed that GM3 possesses powerful effects on cancer development and progression. GM3 is over expressed on several types of cancers, and can be as a tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen, used for immunotherapy of cancers. GM3 can also inhibit tumor cells growth by anti-angiogenesis or motility and so on. Especially, GM3 has effects on the EGFR tyrosine kinase signaling, uPAR-related signaling and glycolipid-enriched microdomains, which are essential for cancer signaling conduction. It is obvious that GM3 will be a promising target for cancer treatment.

Inhibitory effect of taspine derivative TAD1822-7 on tumor cell growth and angiogenesis via suppression of EphrinB2 and related signaling pathways

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of TAD1822-7, a synthesized taspine derivative, on cancer through its effects on tumor cell growth and angiogenesis via suppression of EphrinB2. The obtained data showed that TAD1822-7 decreased Bel-7402 cell viability and colony formation ability and suppressed cell migration. TAD1822-7 effectively inhibited blood vessel formation in an aortic ring assay to examine angiogenesis. Moreover, it also down regulated the expression of VEGFR2, VEGFR3, CD34, PLCγ, Akt, MMP2, MMP9, and CXCR4, and suppressed the expression of EphrinB2 and its PDZ protein, PICK1, in Bel-7402 cells. These results indicate that TAD1822-7 is a potential anti-angiogenic agent that can inhibit the viability and migration of Bel-7402 cells via suppression of EphrinB2 and the related signaling pathways.

The evolving role of antiangiogenic therapies in glioblastoma multiforme: current clinical significance and future potential

Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, but its prognosis remains poor despite significant advances in our understanding of its molecular biology and investigation of numerous treatment modalities. Despite conventional treatment consisting of surgical resection, radiotherapy, and temozolomide marginally prolonging survival, most GBM patients die within 2 years of initial diagnosis. Bevacizumab (Bev) is the best-studied antiangiogenic agent for GBM and currently the only FDA-approved second-line treatment. Areas covered: Areas covered in this review include the molecular pathways of angiogenesis in glioblastoma, specifically the overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and robust formation of tumor neovasculature. In addition, this review covers pharmacological targeting of this process as a longstanding attractive clinical strategy, specifically by Bev. Expert opinion: This review attempts to discuss the history of early studies of antiangiogenic treatment for GBM that eventually failed in subsequent studies and the evolving modern role of Bev in the course of treatment for a variety of indications, including symptom control, reduced glucocorticoid use, and improved quality of life.

Boiled Abalone Byproduct Peptide Exhibits Anti-Tumor Activity in HT1080 Cells and HUVECs by Suppressing the Metastasis and Angiogenesis in Vitro

Abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) is a precious seafood in the market. It has been reported that biological active substances derived from abalone have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-thrombosis potential. However, there were few studies to assess whether they have anti-cancer potential. In this study, we evaluated the anti-metastasis and anti-pro-angiogenic factors and mechanism of action of boiled abalone byproduct peptide (BABP, EMDEAQDPSEW) in human fibrosarcoma (HT1080) cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The results demonstrated that BABP treatment significantly lowers migration and the invasion of HT1080 cells and HUVECs. BABP inhibits phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and activity by blocking mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and NF-κB signaling and hypoxia-induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α accumulation through suppressing the AKT/mTOR signal pathway. BABP treatment inhibits VEGF-induced VEGFR-2 expression and tube formation in HUVECs. The effect of BABP on anti-metastatic and anti-vascular activity in HT1080 cells and HUVECs revealed that BABP may be a potential pharmacophore for tumor therapy in the future.

Co-delivery of VEGF siRNA and Etoposide for Enhanced Anti-angiogenesis and Anti-proliferation Effect via Multi-functional Nanoparticles for Orthotopic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment

Targeting tumor angiogenesis pathway via VEGF siRNA (siVEGF) has shown great potential in treating highly malignant and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, anti-angiogenic monotherapy lacked sufficient antitumor efficacy which suffered from malignant tumor proliferation. Therefore, the combined application of siVEGF and chemotherapeutic agents for simultaneous targeting of tumor proliferation and angiogenesis has been a research hotspot to explore a promising NSCLC therapy regimen.

Methods: We designed, for the first time, a rational therapy strategy via intelligently co-delivering siVEGF and chemotherapeutics etoposide (ETO) by multi-functional nanoparticles (NPs) directed against the orthotopic NSCLC. These NPs consisted of cationic liposomes loaded with siVEGF and ETO and then coated with versatile polymer PEGylated histidine-grafted chitosan-lipoic acid (PHCL). We then comprehensively evaluated the anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferation efficiency in the in vitro tumor cell model and in bioluminescent orthotopic lung tumor bearing mice model.

Results: The NPs co-delivering siVEGF and ETO exhibited tailor-made surface charge reversal features in mimicking tumor extracellular environment with improved internal tumor penetration capacity and higher cellular internalization. Furthermore, these NPs with flexible particles size triggered by intracellular acidic environment and redox environment showed pinpointed and sharp intracellular cargo release guaranteeing adequate active drug concentration in tumor cells. Enhanced VEGF gene expression silencing efficacy and improved tumor cell anti-proliferation effect were demonstrated in vitro. In addition, the PHCL layer improved the stability of these NPs in neutral environment allowing enhanced orthotopic lung tumor targeting efficiency in vivo. The combined therapy by siVEGF and ETO co-delivered NPs for orthotopic NSCLC simultaneously inhibited tumor proliferation and tumor angiogenesis resulting in more significant suppression of tumor growth and metastasis than monotherapy.

Conclusion: Combined application of siVEGF and ETO by the multi-functional NPs with excellent and on-demand properties exhibited the desired antitumor effect on the orthotopic lung tumor. Our work has significant potential in promoting combined anti-angiogenesis therapy and chemotherapy regimen for clinical NSCLC treatment.

Potent anti-angiogenesis and anti-tumour activity of pegaptanib-loaded tetrahedral DNA nanostructure

Objectives

Pegaptanib might be a promising anti‐tumour drug targeting VEGF to inhibit tumour vascular endothelial cell proliferation. However, the poor biostability limited its application. In this study, we took tetrahedron DNA nanostructures (TDNs) as drug nanocarrier for pegaptanib to explore the potent anti‐angiogenesis and anti‐tumour activity of this drug delivery system.

Materials and methods

The successful synthesis of TDNs and pegaptanib‐TDNs was determined by 8% polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), capillary electrophoresis and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The cytotoxicity of pegaptanib alone and pegaptanib‐TDNs on HUVECs and Cal27 was evaluated by the cell count kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay. The effect of pegaptanib and pegaptanib‐TDNs on proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs induced by VEGF was examined by CCK‐8 assay, wound healing assay and tubule formation experiment. The cell binding capacity and serum stability were detected by flow cytometry and PAGE, respectively.

Results

Pegaptanib‐TDNs had stronger killing ability than pegaptanib alone, and the inhibiting effect was in a concentration‐dependent manner. What's more, pegaptanib‐loaded TDNs could effectively enhance the ability of pegaptanib to inhibit proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVECs induced by VEGF. These might attribute to the stronger binding affinity to the cell membrane and greater serum stability of pegaptanib‐TDNs.

Conclusions

These results suggested that pegaptanib‐TDNs might be a novel strategy to improve anti‐angiogenesis and anti‐tumour ability of pegaptanib.

Anti-Angiogenic Effect of Orally Available Pemetrexed for Metronomic Chemotherapy

Metronomic chemotherapy (MCT) is defined as the frequent administration of low-dose chemotherapeutics, without long drug-free periods, with the exertion of antitumor activity exclusively through anti-angiogenic mechanisms. In this study, we have developed an orally available formulation of pemetrexed (PMX) for MCT. PMX was first complexed ionically with N^α-deoxycholyl-l-lysyl-methylester (DCK) as the permeation enhancer. This was followed by dispersion with poloxamer 188 and Labrasol to form the solid oral formulation of PMX (PMX/DCK-OP). PMX/DCK-OP exhibited a 10.6-fold increase in permeability across a Caco-2 cell monolayer compared to PMX alone. This resulted in a 70-fold increase in the oral bioavailability of PMX/DCK-OP in mice over oral PMX alone. In the A549 xenograft model, tumor volume was reduced by 51.1% in the PMX/DCK-OP treated group compared to only 32.8% in the maximum tolerated dose (MTD)-treated group. Furthermore, PMX/DCK-OP exhibited a significant anti-angiogenic effect on the A549 xenograft mice when compared to the MTD-treated group, as indicated by microvessel density quantification for CD-31. In addition, PMX/DCK-OP enhanced the release of an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), into both the blood circulation and the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, due to its oral route of administration, PMX/DCK-OP appears to be a better alternative to the conventional treatment of PMX.

Rotundic Acid Induces DNA Damage and Cell Death in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through AKT/mTOR and MAPK Pathways

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth largest cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide with limited therapeutic interventions. Renewed interest in natural products as drug leads has resulted in a paradigm shift toward the rapid screening of medicinal plants for the discovery of new chemical entities. Rotundic acid (RA), a plant-derived triterpenoid, has been anecdotally reported to possess anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective abilities. The present study highlights the anti-cancer efficacy of RA on HCC in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effects of RA on HCC cell viability was determined by MTT. Soft agar colony formation and clonogenic assays also showed that RA inhibited HCC cell proliferation. Flow cytometry, confocal, and western blot results further indicated that RA induced cell cycle arrest, DNA damage, and apoptosis by modulating the AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways. Besides the suppression of migration and invasion, tube formation and VEGF-ELISA revealed the anti-angiogenic abilities of RA on HCC. Moreover, RA also inhibited tumor growth in a HepG2 xenograft mouse model. To our best knowledge, this is the first extensive study of the anticancer activity of RA on HCC. The results demonstrate that RA could be a potential drug candidate for HCC treatment.

Discovery of 6-Arylurea-2-arylbenzoxazole and 6-Arylurea-2-arylbenzimidazole Derivatives as Angiogenesis Inhibitors: Design, Synthesis and in vitro Biological Evaluation

We embarked on a structural optimization campaign aimed at the discovery of novel anti-angiogenesis agents with previously reported imidazole kinase inhibitors as a lead compound. A library of 29 compounds was synthesized. Several title compounds exhibited selective inhibitory activities against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) over epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase; these compounds also displayed selective and potent antiproliferative activity against three cancer cell lines. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for anti-angiogenesis activity by chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Among them, 1-(2-(2-chlorophenyl)benzo[d]oxazol-5-yl)-3-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)urea (compound 5 n) showed the most potent anti-angiogenesis capacity, efficient cytotoxic activities (in vitro against human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), H1975, A549, and HeLa cell lines, with respective IC₅₀ values of 8.46, 1.40, 7.61, and 0.28 μm), and an acceptable level of VEGFR-2 kinase inhibition (IC₅₀ =0.25 μm). Molecular docking analysis revealed 5 n to be a type II inhibitor of VEGFR-2 kinase. In general, these results indicate that these 6-arylurea-2-arylbenzoxazole/benzimidazole derivatives are promising inhibitors of VEGFR-2 kinase for potential development into anti-angiogenesis drugs.

Anti-angiogenesis triggers exosomes release from endothelial cells to promote tumor vasculogenesis

Although anti-angiogenic therapies (AATs) have some effects against multiple malignancies, they are limited by subsequent tumor vasculogenesis and progression. To investigate the mechanisms by which tumor vasculogenesis and progression following AATs, we transfected microRNA (miR)-9 into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to mimic the tumor-associated endothelial cells in hepatocellular carcinoma and simulated the AATs in vitro and in vivo. We found that administration of the angiogenesis inhibitor vandetanib completely abolished miR-9-induced angiogenesis and promoted autophagy in HUVECs, but induced the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-enriched exosomes. These VEGF-enriched exosomes significantly promoted the formation of endothelial vessels and vasculogenic mimicry in hepatocellular carcinoma and its progression in mice. Anti-autophagic therapy is proposed to improve the efficacy of AATs. However, similar effects by AATs were observed with the application of anti-autophagy by 3-methyladenine. Our results revealed that tumor vasculogenesis and progression after AATs and anti-autophagic therapies were due to the cross-talk between endothelial and tumor cells via VEGF-enriched exosomes.

Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment in Renal Cell Cancer Biology and Therapy

Renal cell cancer (RCC) is a highly vascularized and immunogenic tumor type. The inhibition of vessel formation by anti-angiogenic therapies, as well as the stimulation of the immune system by immunotherapy has revolutionized the therapeutic landscape of RCC in recent years. Nevertheless, both therapies are associated with therapy resistance due to a highly dynamic, adaptive and heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME). The aim of this short review article is to provide an overview of the components of the RCC TME as well as to discuss their contribution to disease progression. In addition, we report on preclinical and clinical findings and how the different TME components can be modulated to impede treatment progression as well as to overcome therapy resistance to anti-angiogenic or immunomodulating therapy concepts. Furthermore, we discuss the predictive and prognostic role of the TME in RCC therapy. We also report on the concept of combinational targeting of anti-angiogenic therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, also including the latest results of clinical studies discussed at recent oncological meetings. Finally, promising new therapeutic targets within the TME are mentioned.

Anti-Tumor Activity and Pharmacokinetics of AP25-Fc Fusion Protein

AP25 is an anti-tumor peptide with a high affinity for integrins. It exerts its anti-tumor activity by inhibiting angiogenesis and by directly inhibiting the growth of tumor cells. Its half-life time in vivo is only about 50 minutes, which limits its clinical application. In order to prolong the half-life time of AP25 while preserving its anti-tumor activity, several fusion proteins of AP25 and IgG4 Fc were designed and expressed; their anti-tumor activity and pharmacokinetics properties were evaluated. Firstly, four AP25-Fc fusion protein sequences were designed, and the corresponding proteins were expressed and purified. Based on the results of HUVEC migration inhibition assay, HUVEC and tumor cell proliferation inhibition assay and yields of expression by HEK293 cells, the fusion protein designated PSG4R was selected for further evaluation. The anti-tumor effect of PSG4R was then evaluated in vivo on HCT-116 nude mice xenograft model. And the pharmacokinetics properties of PSG4R were investigated in rats. The results showed that PSG4R could inhibit the growth of xenografts of human colon cancer cell line HCT-116 in nude mice by intravenous administration of 40 mg/kg once every two days. The half-life time of PSG4R was 56.270 ± 15.398 h. This study showed that the construction of AP25-Fc fusion protein could significantly prolong the half-life of AP25 while retaining its anti-tumor activity, which provides a new direction for new drug development of AP25.

High delta-like ligand 4 expression correlates with a poor clinical outcome in gastric cancer

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) and other members of the Notch pathway may offer new targets for development of anti-angiogenesis drugs for the treatment of several tumor types. However, the role of DLL4 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of DLL4 overexpression on recurrence and survival in gastric cancer (GC) patients.

Methods: DLL4 expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in tissue samples from 336 GC patients. Samples were classified into high and low DLL4 expression according to a cut-off of 50% positively stained cells. The correlation between DLL4 expression and clinicopathological parameters, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were statistically analyzed.

Results: High DLL4 expression was observed in 67 (19.9%) of the 336 GC patients. After a median follow-up duration of 54.97 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 52.40-57.55 months), patients at stage II-IV with high DLL4 expression showed significantly poorer DFS compared with those at the same stage but with low DLL4 expression [not reached (NR) for both cohorts, hazard ratio (HR) 0.73 (95% CI, 0.38-1.40); p = 0.007]. Likewise, GC patients with high DLL4 expression had a significantly shorter OS following curative surgery compared to those with low DLL4 expression [NR for both groups, HR 0.56 (95% CI, 0.32-0.96; p = 0.002]. High DLL4 expression had a greater influence on DFS in stage IIIb/IV patients than in patients at early stages [34.87 vs. 10.1 months; HR, 0.44 (95% CI, 0.19-0.96); p = 0.004]. Moreover, stage IIIb/IV patients with high DLL4 expression had a significantly shorter OS after surgery than those with low DLL4 expression [58.87 vs. 16.93 months, HR 0.39 (95% CI, 0.16-0.99), p = 0.001).

Conclusion: High DLL4 expression was observed in 19.9% of GC patients and was significantly associated with poor survival following curative surgery. Given its prevalence in the GC cohort with a poor prognosis, DLL4 is a potential therapeutic target.

Identification of Novel Anti-Liver Cancer Small Molecules with Better Therapeutic Index than Sorafenib via Zebrafish Drug Screening Platform

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Sorafenib was the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug for treating advanced HCC until recently, so development of new target therapy is urgently needed. In this study, we established a zebrafish drug screening platform and compared the therapeutic effects of two multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitors, 419S1 and 420S1, with Sorafenib. All three compounds exhibited anti-angiogenesis abilities in immersed fli1:EGFP transgenic embryos and the half inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) was determined. 419S1 exhibited lower hepatoxicity and embryonic toxicity than 420S1 and Sorafenib, and the half lethal concentration (LC₅₀) was determined. The therapeutic index (LC₅₀/IC₅₀) for 419S1 was much higher than for Sorafenib and 420S1. The compounds were either injected retro-orbitally or by oral gavage to adult transgenic zebrafish with HCC. The compounds not only rescued the pathological feature, but also reversed the expression levels of cell-cycle-related genes and protein levels of a proliferation marker. Using a patient-derived-xenograft assay, we found that the effectiveness of 419S1 and 420S1 in preventing liver cancer proliferation is better than that of Sorafenib. With integrated efforts and the advantage of the zebrafish platform, we can find more effective and safe drugs for HCC treatment and screen for personalized medicine.

Tumor Size and Overall Survival in Patients With Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Treated With Chemotherapy and Bevacizumab

Introduction:

Ovarian cancer is now recognized as a constellation of distinct subtypes of neoplasia involving the ovary and related structures. As a consequence of this heterogeneity, the analysis of covariates influencing the overall survival is crucial in this disease segment. In this work, an overall survival model incorporating tumor kinetics metrics in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer was developed from the randomized, open label, phase 3 AURELIA trial.

Methods:

Tumor size data from 361 patients randomly allocated to the bevacizumab + chemotherapy or chemotherapy study arm were collected at baseline and every 8 to 9 weeks until disease progression. Patients continued to be followed for survival after treatment discontinuation. A landmarked Cox proportional hazard survival model was developed to characterize the overall survival distribution.

Results:

Two sets of factors were found to be influential on survival time: those describing the type and severity of disease (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG], Féderation Internationale de Gynécologie et d’Obstétrique [FIGO] stages, presence of ascites) and those summarizing the key features of the tumor kinetic model (tumor shrinkage at week 8 and tumor size at treatment onset). The treatment group was not required in the final model as the drug effect was accounted for in the tumor kinetics model.

Conclusions:

This work has identified both ascites and tumor kinetics metrics as being the 2 most influential factors to explain variability in overall survival in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Future Options of Molecular-Targeted Therapy in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. With a focus on histology, there are two major subtypes: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (the more frequent subtype), and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) (the more aggressive one). Even though SCLC, in general, is a chemosensitive malignancy, relapses following induction therapy are frequent. The standard of care treatment of SCLC consists of platinum-based chemotherapy in combination with etoposide that is subsequently enhanced by PD-L1-inhibiting atezolizumab in the extensive-stage disease, as the addition of immune-checkpoint inhibition yielded improved overall survival. Although there are promising molecular pathways with potential therapeutic impacts, targeted therapies are still not an integral part of routine treatment. Against this background, we evaluated current literature for potential new molecular candidates such as surface markers (e.g., DLL3, TROP-2 or CD56), apoptotic factors (e.g., BCL-2, BET), genetic alterations (e.g., CREBBP, NOTCH or PTEN) or vascular markers (e.g., VEGF, FGFR1 or CD13). Apart from these factors, the application of so-called 'poly-(ADP)-ribose polymerases' (PARP) inhibitors can influence tumor repair mechanisms and thus offer new perspectives for future treatment. Another promising therapeutic concept is the inhibition of 'enhancer of zeste homolog 2' (EZH2) in the loss of function of tumor suppressors or amplification of (proto-) oncogenes. Considering the poor prognosis of SCLC patients, new molecular pathways require further investigation to augment our therapeutic armamentarium in the future.

Evaluation of Angiogenesis Assays

Angiogenesis assays allow for the evaluation of pro- or anti-angiogenic activity of endogenous or exogenous factors (stimulus or inhibitors) through investigation of their pro-or anti- proliferative, migratory, and tube formation effects on endothelial cells. To model the process of angiogenesis and the effects of biomolecules on that process, both in vitro and in vivo methods are currently used. In general, in vitro methods monitor specific stages in the angiogenesis process and are used for early evaluations, while in vivo methods more accurately simulate the living microenvironment to provide more pertinent information. We review here the current state of angiogenesis assays as well as their mechanisms, advantages, and limitations.

Epicatechin and scopoletin-rich Morinda citrifolia leaf ameliorated leukemia via anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenesis, and apoptosis pathways in vitro and in vivo

The anti-leukemia mechanisms of Morinda citrifolia L. leaf extract were investigated on human Jurkat leukemia cells and in leukemia-induced BALB/c mice. The leukemia-induced mice were fed daily with the extract (100 or 200 mg/kg BW) and compared to ATRA (All-trans-retinoic-acid; 5 mg/kg BW). After 4 weeks' treatment, the extract (standardized to epicatechin and scopoletin), arrested Jurkat cell-cycle at the G0/G1 phase and activated the caspase-3 and caspase-8 (death-receptor extrinsic pathways). The extract dose-dependently reduced the blood and bone marrow myeloblasts levels of leukemia-induced mice; upregulated cancer suppressor genes CSF3, SOCS1, PTEN and TRP53; increased anti-inflammatory IL10 and IL4; downregulated anti-apoptotic or proliferation genes; decreased the pro-inflammatory NF-κβ; suppressed pro-angiogenesis VEGFA mRNA expressions, and restored the homeostatic immune or leukocytes levels. The extract directly ameliorated leukemia via cancer cells apoptosis, suppressed inflammation and angiogenesis; and mitigated bone marrow myeloblasts imbalance, without any observable toxicity on the animals. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The scopoletin (coumarin) and epicatechin (flavonoid)-rich Morinda citrifolia (Noni) leaves may be used as functional food ingredient, vegetables, or dietary supplements to treat and suppress leukemia progression by directly killing the cancer cells and preventing new cancer cells development and bone marrow myeloblast imbalance in the bone marrow, without being toxic to normal cells. The M. citrifolia leaf extract suppressed inflammation, and potential metastasis by inhibiting new cancer-related blood vessel formation.

Characterization and bioactivity of self-assembled anti-angiogenic chondroitin sulfate-ES2-AF nanoparticle conjugate

Background

In the past few years, significant progress has been made in inhibiting neovascularization at the tumor site, cutting off the nutrient supply of the tumor, and inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis. However, many proteins/peptides have the disadvantage of poor stability, short half-life, and uncertain targeting ability. Chemical modification can be used to overcome these disadvantages; many polyethylene glycol-modified proteins/peptides have been approved by US FDA. The purpose of this study was to obtain a novel anti-angiogenic chondroitin sulfate (CS)-peptide nanoparticle conjugate with efficient anti-neovascularization and tumor targeting ability and an acceptable half-life.

Materials and methods

The CS-ES2-AF nanoparticle conjugate was synthesized and characterized using ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and particle size and zeta potential analyzer. The anti-angiogenic ability was studied using MTT, migration, tube formation, and chick chorioallantoic membrane assays. The targeting ability of CS-ES2-AF was studied by ELISA, surface plasmon resonance, and bioimaging. The pharmacokinetics was also studied.

Results

The CS-ES2-AF could self-assemble into stable nanoparticles in aqueous solution, which significantly enhances its anti-neovascularization activity, tumor targeting more explicit, and prolongs its half-life.

Conclusion

CS is an effective protein/peptide modifier, and CS-ES2-AF displayed good potential in tumor targeting therapy.

Differential activity of 16K rat prolactin in different organic systems

The 16K isoform of rat prolactin (16K rPRL) performs multiple functions in various systems including angiogenesis, tumorigenesis, and reproduction. Recently, 16K rPRL has attained prominence as a possible therapeutic target in pathophysiological conditions. However, the integral function and mechanism of 16K rPRL in various systems has not been elucidated. To this end, a transient gain-of-function animal model was adopted. An expression DNA plasmid containing 16K rPRL or rPRL gene was introduced into the muscle of adult mice by direct injection. The mRNA and protein expression levels of 16K rPRL were detected by initial RT–PCR and subsequent Southern blot and western blot, respectively. When the expression vector was introduced, the results were as follows: First, 16K rPRL combined with rPRL reduced angiogenesis in the testis whereas rPRL alone induced angiogenesis. Second, 16K rPRL combined with rPRL reduced WBC proliferation, whereas rPRL alone increased WBC proliferation. Third, 16K rPRL combined with rPRL reduced diestrus, whereas rPRL alone extended diestrus. Fourth, 16K rPRL combined with rPRL unexpectedly increased testosterone (T) levels, whereas rPRL alone did not increase T levels. Taken together, our data suggest that the 16K rPRL isoform performs integral functions in angiogenesis in the testis, WBC proliferation, and reproduction, although the action of 16K rPRL is not always antagonistic.

Apatinib, a selective VEGFR2 inhibitor, improves the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to tumors by normalizing tumor vessels in LoVo colon cancer xenograft mice

Tumor vascular normalization has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy for malignant neoplasms, which can also interpret the synergistic effect of anti-angiogenesis agents combined with chemotherapy. Apatinib (Apa), a highly selective VEGFR2 inhibitor, attracts much attentions due to its encouraging anticancer activity, especially in the clinical trials of combined treatment. In this study, we investigated whether Apa could promote vascular normalization in tumor in a certain time window. Mice bearing LoVo colon cancer xenograft were orally administrated Apa (150 mg kg^-1 per day) for 5, 7, 10, or 12 days. Apa significantly inhibited tumor growth and decreased the microvessel density. Using multi-photon microscopy and electron microscopy, we found that Apa improved tumor vessel morphology by pruning distorted vessel branches and decreased the gap between endothelial cells after a 7-day treatment. Furthermore, Apa decreased vessel leakage and increased pericyte coverage on vascular endothelial cells, suggesting that tumor vessels were more mature and integrated. The intratumoral distribution of adriamycin (ADR) in Apa group was improved from day 7 to 10 without change in plasma drug concentration. Tumor blood perfusion was also increased in this window, and the expression of hypoxia induced factor 1α was downregulated, suggesting the effect of Apa on alleviating tumor hypoxic micro-environment. In conclusion, Apa may improve the effective perfusion of tumor vessels and increase the intratumoral distribution of ADR in a certain time window via normalizing tumor vessels. This normalization window (7 to 10 days of treatment) may contribute to develop a regimen of combined medication in clinic use of Apa.

Inhibition of growth of canine-derived vascular endothelial cells by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and atrial natriuretic peptide

This study investigated the direct effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on canine-derived vascular endothelial cells (VECs). VECs were isolated and cultured from canine arteries and veins. The mRNA expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, cyclooxygenase-2, and natriuretic peptide receptor 1 were detected in the cultured VECs. The viability of the cultured VECs was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by meloxicam, carprofen, and robenacoxib. By contrast, dose escalations of ANP had only marginal influence on the viability of cultured VECs. NSAIDs may potentially serve as not only analgesic agents against cancerous and perioperative pain but also as adjuvant anti-angiogenic drugs in dogs with malignant tumors.

Phenalenones from a Marine-Derived Fungus Penicillium Sp

Six new phenalenone derivatives (1–6), along with five known compounds (7–11) of the herqueinone class, were isolated from a marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. The absolute configurations of these compounds were assigned based on chemical modifications and their specific rotations. 4-Hydroxysclerodin (6) and an acetone adduct of a triketone (7) exhibited moderate anti-angiogenetic and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively, while ent-peniciherqueinone (1) and isoherqueinone (9) exhibited moderate abilities to induce adipogenesis without cytotoxicity.