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Wazan LE, Widhibrata A, Liu GS. Soluble FLT-1 in angiogenesis: pathophysiological roles and therapeutic implications. Angiogenesis 2024:10.1007/s10456-024-09942-8. [PMID: 39207600 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-024-09942-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Fine-tuning angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels, is essential for maintaining a healthy circulatory and lymphatic system. The small glycoprotein vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) are the key mediators in this process, binding to their corresponding membrane-bound VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) to activate angiogenesis signaling pathways. These pathways are crucial throughout human life as they are involved in lymphatic and vascular endothelial cell permeability, migration, proliferation, and survival. Neovascularization, the formation of abnormal blood vessels, occurs when there is a dysregulation of angiogenesis and can result in debilitating disease. Hence, VEGFRs have been widely studied to understand their role in disease-causing angiogenesis. VEGFR1, also known as Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (FLT-1), is also found in a soluble form, soluble FLT-1 or sFLT-1, which is known to act as a VEGF neutralizer. It is incorporated into anti-VEGF therapy, designed to treat diseases caused by neovascularization. Here we review the journey of sFLT-1 discovery and delve into the alternative splicing mechanism that creates the soluble receptor, its prevalence in disease states, and its use in current and future potential therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layal Ei Wazan
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Level 7, 32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ariel Widhibrata
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Level 7, 32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Guei-Sheung Liu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Level 7, 32 Gisborne Street, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia.
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
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Napiórkowska-Mastalerz M, Wybranowski T, Bosek M, Kruszewski S, Rhone P, Ruszkowska-Ciastek B. A Preliminary Evaluation of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPPs) as a Potential Approach to Evaluating Prognosis in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients and Its Implication in Tumour Angiogenesis: A 7-Year Single-Centre Study. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1068. [PMID: 38473424 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16051068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BrC) is a highly prevalent tumour among women. The high incidence and mortality rate of BrC prompts researchers to search for new markers that will provide information on the possible impact of the therapy on the risk of cancer-related events. This study aimed to investigate whether the level of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) may have a potential impact on disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in BrC patients with early-stage cancer. Additionally, we tried to assess the relationship between AOPPs and angiogenic parameters. In this study, the pre- and post-treatment AOPP levels were examined in the serum of 70 newly diagnosed BrC women. The receiver operating characteristic curve identified pre- and post-treatment AOPPs to be above 9.37 μM and 10.39 μM, respectively, as the best cut-off values to predict the risk of cancer relapse. Additionally, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that pre- and post-treatment AOPPs above 9.37 μM and 10.39 μM were associated with significantly poorer OS. The uni- and multivariate Cox regression analysis highlighted that lower levels of pre- and post-treatment AOPPs were associated with a longer duration without relapse or cancer-related death. A positive correlation between concentrations of pre-treatment AOPPs and vascular endothelial growth factor A, and negative correlations with levels of soluble forms of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 1 and 2, were found. In conclusion, AOPPs appear to have an important role in predicting cancer-related events and may potentially serve as a simple prognostic marker in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Napiórkowska-Mastalerz
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Tomasz Wybranowski
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Maciej Bosek
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Stefan Kruszewski
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum, 85-067 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Piotr Rhone
- Clinical Ward of Breast Cancer and Reconstructive Surgery, Oncology Centre Prof. F. Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Barbara Ruszkowska-Ciastek
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Collegium Medicum, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland
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Alshaye NA, Elgohary MK, Elkotamy MS, Abdel-Aziz HA. Design, Synthesis and Biological Assessment of N'-(2-Oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-6-methylimidazo[2,1- b]thiazole-5-carbohydrazides as Potential Anti-Proliferative Agents toward MCF-7 Breast Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:216. [PMID: 38399431 PMCID: PMC10892120 DOI: 10.3390/ph17020216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a serious threat to the health and lives of women. Two novel series of N'-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-6-methylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-5-carbohydrazides and 1-(aryl)-3-(6-methylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-5-yl)ureas were designed, synthesized and investigated for their anticancer efficacy against the MCF-7 breast cell line. Three compounds of the first series showed potent activity toward MCF-7 with IC50 in the range 8.38-11.67 µM, respectively, as compared to Sorafenib (IC50 = 7.55 µM). N'-(1-butyl-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)-6-methylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-5-carbohydrazide inhibited VEGFR-2 with IC50 = 0.33 µM when compared with Sorafenib (IC50 = 0.09 µM). Furthermore, this compound was introduced to PCR assessment, where it increased Bax, caspase 8, caspase 9 and cytochrome C levels by 4.337-, 2.727-, 4.947- and 2.420-fold, respectively, while it decreased levels of Bcl-2, as the anti-apoptotic gene, by 0.359-fold when compared to the untreated control MCF-7. This compound was also arrested in the G2/M phase by 27.07%, compared with 11.31% for the control MCF-7. Furthermore, it induced early and late apoptosis in MCF-7. In addition, a molecular docking study in the VEGFR-2 active site was performed to assess the binding profile for the most active compounds. Moreover, ADME parameters of the targeted compounds were also evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najla A. Alshaye
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohamed K. Elgohary
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian-Russian University, Cairo 11829, Egypt;
| | - Mahmoud S. Elkotamy
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian-Russian University, Cairo 11829, Egypt;
| | - Hatem A. Abdel-Aziz
- Applied Organic Chemistry Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo 12622, Egypt
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Li YJ, Wu XF, Wang DD, Li P, Liang H, Hu XY, Gan JQ, Sun YZ, Li JH, Li J, Shu X, Song AL, Yang CY, Yang ZY, Yu WF, Yang LQ, Wang XB, Belguise K, Xia ZY, Yi B. Serum Soluble Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 1 as a Potential Biomarker of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2023; 11:1150-1160. [PMID: 37577229 PMCID: PMC10412700 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2022.00421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims The results of basic research implicate the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family as a potential target of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). However, the negative results of anti-angiogenetic therapy in clinical studies have highlighted the need for markers for HPS. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether VEGF family members and their receptors can be potential biomarkers for HPS through clinical and experimental studies. Methods Clinically, patients with chronic liver disease from two medical centers were enrolled and examined for HPS. Patients were divided into HPS, intrapulmonary vascular dilation [positive contrast-enhanced echocardiography (CEE) and normal oxygenation] and CEE-negative groups. Baseline information and perioperative clinical data were compared between HPS and non-HPS patients. Serum levels of VEGF family members and their receptors were measured. In parallel, HPS rats were established by common bile duct ligation. Liver, lung and serum samples were collected for the evaluation of pathophysiologic changes, as well as the expression levels of the above factors. Results In HPS rats, all VEGF family members and their receptors underwent significant changes; however, only soluble VEGFR1 (sFlt-1) and the sFlt-1/ placental growth factor (PLGF) ratio were changed in almost the same manner as those in HPS patients. Furthermore, through feature selection and internal and external validation, sFlt-1 and the sFlt-1/PLGF ratio were identified as the most important variables to distinguish HPS from non-HPS patients. Conclusions Our results from animal and human studies indicate that sFlt-1 and the sFlt-1/PLGF ratio in serum are potential markers for HPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jie Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xian-Feng Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Dan-Dan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hao Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jia-Qi Gan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi-Zhu Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jun-Hong Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Shu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Ai-Lin Song
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Chun-Yong Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi-Yong Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wei-Feng Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-Qun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Bo Wang
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Karine Belguise
- LBCMCP, Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Zheng-Yuan Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bin Yi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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Figueroa-Valverde L, Díaz-Cedillo F, Rosas-Nexticapa M, Alvarez-Ramirez M, Mateu-Armad MV, López-Ramos M, López-Gutierrez T. Interaction of Some Amino-Nitrile Derivatives with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 1 (VEGFR1) Using a Theoretical Model. Drug Res (Stuttg) 2023. [PMID: 37172939 DOI: 10.1055/a-2062-3571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some studies indicate that the angiogenesis process is related to vascular endothelial growth factor, which can interact with endothelial cell surface receptors (VEGF-R1, VEGF-R2, and VEGF-R3); this biochemical process and other factors result in the promotion and growth of new blood vessels under normal conditions. However, some studies indicate that this phenomenon could also occur in cancer cells. It is important to mention that some amino derivatives have been prepared as VEGF-R1 inhibitors; however, their interaction with VEGF-R1 is not clear, perhaps due to different experimental approaches or differences in their chemical structure. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the theoretical interaction of several amino-nitrile derivatives (Compounds 1 to 38) with VEGF-R1. METHODS The theoretical interaction of amino-nitrile derivatives with VEGF-R1 was carried out using the 3hng protein as the theoretical model. In addition, cabozantinib, pazopanib, regorafenib, and sorafenib were used as controls in the DockingServer program. RESULTS The results showed different amino acid residues involved in the interaction of amino-nitrile derivatives with the 3hng protein surface compared with the controls. In addition, the inhibition constant (Ki) was lower for Compounds 10 and 34 than for cabozantinib. Other results show that Ki for Compounds 9, 10, 14, 27-29 and 34-36 was lower in comparison with pazopanib, regorafenib, and sorafenib. CONCLUSIONS All theoretical data suggest that amino-nitrile derivatives could produce changes in the growth of some cancer cell lines through VEGFR-1 inhibition. Therefore, these amino-nitrile derivatives could be a therapeutic alternative to treat some types of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauro Figueroa-Valverde
- Laboratory of Pharmaco-Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Biological Sciences, University Autonomous of Campeche, Campeche, Camp., México
| | - Francisco Díaz-Cedillo
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas del Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Santo Tomas, México
| | - Marcela Rosas-Nexticapa
- Facultad de Nutrición, Universidad Veracruzana, Médicos y Odontologos, Unidad del Bosque Xalapa Veracruz, México
| | - Magdalena Alvarez-Ramirez
- Facultad de Nutrición, Universidad Veracruzana, Médicos y Odontologos, Unidad del Bosque Xalapa Veracruz, México
| | - Maria Virginia Mateu-Armad
- Facultad de Nutrición, Universidad Veracruzana, Médicos y Odontologos, Unidad del Bosque Xalapa Veracruz, México
| | - Maria López-Ramos
- Laboratory of Pharmaco-Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Biological Sciences, University Autonomous of Campeche, Campeche, Camp., México
| | - Tomas López-Gutierrez
- Laboratory of Pharmaco-Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical Biological Sciences, University Autonomous of Campeche, Campeche, Camp., México
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The VEGF/VEGFR Axis Revisited: Implications for Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415585. [PMID: 36555234 PMCID: PMC9779738 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) axis is indispensable in the process of angiogenesis and has been implicated as a key driver of tumor vascularization. Consequently, several strategies that target VEGF and its cognate receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, have been designed to treat cancer. While therapies targeting full-length VEGF have resulted in an improvement in both overall survival and progression-free survival in various cancers, these benefits have been modest. In addition, the inhibition of VEGFRs is associated with undesirable off-target effects. Moreover, VEGF splice variants that modulate sprouting and non-sprouting angiogenesis have been identified in recent years. Cues within the tumor microenvironment determine the expression patterns of these variants. Noteworthy is that the mechanisms of action of these variants challenge the established norm of VEGF signaling. Furthermore, the aberrant expression of some of these variants has been observed in several cancers. Herein, developments in the understanding of the VEGF/VEGFR axis and the splice products of these molecules, as well as the environmental cues that regulate these variants are reviewed. Furthermore, strategies that incorporate the targeting of VEGF variants to enhance the effectiveness of antiangiogenic therapies in the clinical setting are discussed.
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Sajjan VP, Anigol LB, Gurubasavaraj PM, Kotresha D, Pradhan S, Venkatesh S, Patil D. Synthesis, characterization and molecular docking studies of phenoxyimine based ligands: Cytotoxicity, hemolytic activity and antioxidant assessment. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.133457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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8
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Bigham Z, Robles Y, Freund KM, Palmer JR, Bertrand KA. Hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and risk of breast cancer in the Black Women's Health Study. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2022; 194:127-135. [PMID: 35478297 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06606-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Compared to white women, Black women have increased risk of developing hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (HDOP) and have a higher incidence of aggressive breast cancer subtypes. Few studies of HDOP and breast cancer risk have included large numbers of Black women. This study examined the relation of HDOP to incidence of breast cancer overall and by estrogen receptor (ER) status in Black women. METHODS We followed 42,982 parous women in the Black Women's Health Study, a nationwide prospective study of Black women. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess associations of self-reported HDOP, including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension, with breast cancer incidence overall and by ER subtype, adjusted for age and established breast cancer risk factors. RESULTS Over 20 years of follow-up, we identified 2376 incident breast cancer cases. History of HDOP (11.7%) was not associated with breast cancer risk overall (HR 0.98; 95% CI 0.87, 1.11). HRs for invasive ER+ and ER- breast cancer were 1.11 (95% CI 0.93, 1.34) and 0.81 (95% CI 0.61, 1.07), respectively. CONCLUSIONS HDOP was not associated with risk of overall breast cancer in Black women. A suggestive inverse association with ER- breast cancer may reflect an anti-tumorigenic hormone profile in HDOP, but those results require confirmation in other studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahna Bigham
- Tufts University School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yvonne Robles
- Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, 72 East Concord Street, L-7, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karen M Freund
- Tufts University School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julie R Palmer
- Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, 72 East Concord Street, L-7, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly A Bertrand
- Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, 72 East Concord Street, L-7, Boston, MA, USA.
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Paccagnella M, Abbona A, Michelotti A, Geuna E, Ruatta F, Landucci E, Denaro N, Vanella P, Lo Nigro C, Galizia D, Merlano M, Garrone O. Circulating Cytokines in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients Select Different Prognostic Groups and Patients Who Might Benefit from Treatment beyond Progression. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:78. [PMID: 35062739 PMCID: PMC8781714 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer induces immune suppression to overcome its recognition and eradication by the immune system. Cytokines are messengers able to modulate immune response or suppression. There is great interest in the evaluation of their changes during treatment in order to identify their relationship with clinical outcome. We evaluated 18 cytokines in breast cancer patients treated with eribulin before starting treatment (T0) and after four courses of therapy (T1). Longitudinal modifications were considered and cytokine clusters through PCA and HCPC correlated to patients' outcomes were identified. Forty-one metastatic breast cancer patients and fifteen healthy volunteers were included. After clustering, we identified at T0 six patient clusters with different risk of relapse and death. At T1, only four clusters were identified, and three of them accounted for thirty-eight of forty-one patients, suggesting a possible role of treatment in reducing heterogeneity. The cluster with the best survival at T1 was characterized by low levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, CCL-2, CCL-4, and TGF-β. The cluster showing the worst survival encompassed high levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, CCL-2, and IFN-γ. A subgroup of patients with short progression-free survival (PFS) and long overall survival (OS) was comprised in the cluster characterized by low levels of CCL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-12 at T0. Our data support the prognostic significance of longitudinal serum cytokine analysis. This approach may help identify patients for whom early treatment stop avoids needless toxicity or might justify treatment beyond early progression. Further investigations are required to validate this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Abbona
- Translational Oncology ARCO Foundation, 12100 Cuneo, Italy;
| | - Andrea Michelotti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (E.L.)
| | - Elena Geuna
- Multidisciplinary Oncology Outpatient Clinic, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Fiorella Ruatta
- Department of Medical Oncology, S. Croce e Carle Teaching Hospital, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (F.R.); (N.D.); (P.V.)
| | - Elisabetta Landucci
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (E.L.)
| | - Nerina Denaro
- Department of Medical Oncology, S. Croce e Carle Teaching Hospital, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (F.R.); (N.D.); (P.V.)
| | - Paola Vanella
- Department of Medical Oncology, S. Croce e Carle Teaching Hospital, 12100 Cuneo, Italy; (F.R.); (N.D.); (P.V.)
| | | | - Danilo Galizia
- Multidisciplinary Oncology Outpatient Clinic, Candiolo Cancer Institute FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy; (E.G.); (D.G.)
| | - Marco Merlano
- Experimental Cell Therapy Lab, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS Candiolo, 10060 Torino, Italy;
| | - Ornella Garrone
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Policlinico Maggiore, 20122 Milano, Italy;
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Jiang K, Song N, Yang C, Tang S, Wu Z, Liu Z, Li Z. 3,4-Dihydroquinazolin-8-yl-3-phenylurea Derivatives: Synthesis, VEGFR-2 Kinase Inhibiting Activity, and Molecular Docking. RUSS J GEN CHEM+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s107036322109022x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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11
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Antimetastatic and Antitumor Activities of Orally Administered NAX014 Compound in a Murine Model of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052653. [PMID: 33800754 PMCID: PMC7961369 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural isoquinoline alkaloid Berberine (BBR) has been shown to possess several therapeutic effects, including anticancer activity. Different BBR derivatives have been designed and synthesized in order to obtain new compounds with enhanced anticancer efficacy. We previously showed that intraperitoneal (IP) administration of the BBR-derived NAX014 compound was able to counteract HER-2 overexpressing mammary tumors onset and progression in transgenic mice. However, the IP administration was found to induce organ toxicity at doses higher than 2.5 mg/Kg. In this study, we evaluated the effect of intragastric (IG) administration of 20 mg/kg of NAX014 on both safety and anticancer efficacy in HER-2/neu transgenic mice. Furthermore, cancer cell dissemination and migration, tumor cell senescence and immunological changes were examined. Our results demonstrated that IG NAX014 administration delayed the onset of mammary tumors with no negative effects on health and survival. NAX014 reduced HER-2 overexpressing BC cells migration in vitro and the frequency of lung metastasis in HER-2/neu transgenic mice. A statistically significant increase of senescence-associated p16 expression was observed in tumors from NAX014-treated mice, and the induction of cell senescence was observed in HER-2 overexpressing BC cells after in vitro treatment with NAX014. Although NAX014 did not modulate the presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, the level of circulating TNF-α and VEGF was found to be reduced in NAX014-treated mice. The overall results address the NAX014 compound as potential tool for therapeutic strategies against HER-2 overexpressing breast cancer.
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The Role of VEGF Receptors as Molecular Target in Nuclear Medicine for Cancer Diagnosis and Combination Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051072. [PMID: 33802353 PMCID: PMC7959315 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The rapid development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods of the cancer treatment causes that these diseases are becoming better known and the fight against them is more and more effective. Substantial contribution in this development has nuclear medicine that enables very early cancer diagnosis and early start of the so-called targeted therapy. This therapeutic concept compared to the currently used chemotherapy, causes much fewer undesirable side effects, due to targeting a specific lesion in the body. This review article discusses the possible applications of radionuclide-labelled tracers (peptides, antibodies or synthetic organic molecules) that can visualise cancer cells through pathological blood vessel system in close tumour microenvironment. Hence, at a very early step of oncological disease, targeted therapy can involve in tumour formation and growth. Abstract One approach to anticancer treatment is targeted anti-angiogenic therapy (AAT) based on prevention of blood vessel formation around the developing cancer cells. It is known that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) play a pivotal role in angiogenesis process; hence, application of angiogenesis inhibitors can be an effective approach in anticancer combination therapeutic strategies. Currently, several types of molecules have been utilised in targeted VEGF/VEGFR anticancer therapy, including human VEGF ligands themselves and their derivatives, anti-VEGF or anti-VEGFR monoclonal antibodies, VEGF binding peptides and small molecular inhibitors of VEGFR tyrosine kinases. These molecules labelled with diagnostic or therapeutic radionuclides can become, respectively, diagnostic or therapeutic receptor radiopharmaceuticals. In targeted anti-angiogenic therapy, diagnostic radioagents play a unique role, allowing the determination of the emerging tumour, to monitor the course of treatment, to predict the treatment outcomes and, first of all, to refer patients for AAT. This review provides an overview of design, synthesis and study of radiolabelled VEGF/VEGFR targeting and imaging agents to date. Additionally, we will briefly discuss their physicochemical properties and possible application in combination targeted radionuclide tumour therapy.
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13
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Portela LM, Santos SA, Constantino FB, Camargo AC, Colombelli KT, Fioretto MN, Barquilha CN, Périco LL, Hiruma-Lima CA, Scarano WR, Zambrano E, Justulin LA. Increased oxidative stress and cancer biomarkers in the ventral prostate of older rats submitted to maternal malnutrition. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 523:111148. [PMID: 33387600 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.111148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The concept of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) states that exposure to malnutrition early in life increase the incidence of non-communicable chronic diseases throughout the lifespan. In this study, a reduction in serum testosterone and an increase in estrogen levels were shown in older rats born to protein malnourished dams (6% protein in the diet) during gestation and lactation. Intraprostatic levels of reduced glutathione were decreased, while tissue expression of glutathione S-transferase pi and sulfiredoxin-1 were increased in these animals. Strong immunostaining for alfametilacil CoA racemase (AMACR), vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), and aquaporin-1 (AQP1) was also observed. In silico analysis confirmed commonly deregulated proteins in the ventral prostate of old rats and patients with prostate cancer. In conclusion, the increase in oxidative stress associated with an imbalance of sex hormones may contribute to prostate carcinogenesis in offspring, highlighting early-life malnutrition as a key risk factor for this malignance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Mf Portela
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Sérgio Aa Santos
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Flavia B Constantino
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Cl Camargo
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Ketlin T Colombelli
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Matheus N Fioretto
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Caroline N Barquilha
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Larissa L Périco
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Clélia A Hiruma-Lima
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Wellerson R Scarano
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Elena Zambrano
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luís A Justulin
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
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14
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Di Matteo A, Belloni E, Pradella D, Cappelletto A, Volf N, Zacchigna S, Ghigna C. Alternative splicing in endothelial cells: novel therapeutic opportunities in cancer angiogenesis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:275. [PMID: 33287867 PMCID: PMC7720527 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01753-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a pervasive molecular process generating multiple protein isoforms, from a single gene. It plays fundamental roles during development, differentiation and maintenance of tissue homeostasis, while aberrant AS is considered a hallmark of multiple diseases, including cancer. Cancer-restricted AS isoforms represent either predictive biomarkers for diagnosis/prognosis or targets for anti-cancer therapies. Here, we discuss the contribution of AS regulation in cancer angiogenesis, a complex process supporting disease development and progression. We consider AS programs acting in a specific and non-redundant manner to influence morphological and functional changes involved in cancer angiogenesis. In particular, we describe relevant AS variants or splicing regulators controlling either secreted or membrane-bound angiogenic factors, which may represent attractive targets for therapeutic interventions in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Di Matteo
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elisa Belloni
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Davide Pradella
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Ambra Cappelletto
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Nina Volf
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Serena Zacchigna
- Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), 34149, Trieste, Italy. .,Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Claudia Ghigna
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
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15
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Song Y, Zeng S, Zheng G, Chen D, Li P, Yang M, Luo K, Yin J, Gu Y, Zhang Z, Jia X, Qiu N, He Z, Li H, Liu H. FOXO3a-driven miRNA signatures suppresses VEGF-A/NRP1 signaling and breast cancer metastasis. Oncogene 2020; 40:777-790. [PMID: 33262463 PMCID: PMC7843418 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01562-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis remains the major obstacle to improved survival for breast cancer patients. Downregulation of FOXO3a transcription factor in breast cancer is causally associated with the development of metastasis through poorly understood mechanisms. Here, we report that FOXO3a is functionally related to the inhibition of VEGF-A/NRP1 signaling and to the consequent suppression of breast cancer metastasis. We show that FOXO3a directly induces miR-29b-2 and miR-338 expression. Ectopic expression of miR-29b-2/miR-338 significantly suppresses EMT, migration/invasion, and in vivo metastasis of breast cancer. Moreover, we demonstrate that miR-29b-2 directly targets VEGF-A while miR-338 directly targets NRP1, and show that regulation of miR-29b-2 and miR-338 mediates the ability of FOXO3a to suppress VEGF-A/NRP1 signaling and breast cancer metastasis. Clinically, our results show that the FOXO3a-miR-29b-2/miR-338-VEGF-A/NRP1 axis is dysregulated and plays a critical role in disease progression in breast cancer. Collectively, our findings propose that FOXO3a functions as a metastasis suppressor, and define a novel signaling axis of FOXO3a-miRNA-VEGF-A/NRP1 in breast cancer, which might be potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Song
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Shanshan Zeng
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Guopei Zheng
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Danyang Chen
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Pan Li
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Mingqiang Yang
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Kai Luo
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Jiang Yin
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Yixue Gu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Zhijie Zhang
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Xiaoting Jia
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Ni Qiu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China
| | - Zhimin He
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China.
| | - Hongsheng Li
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China.
| | - Hao Liu
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of "Translational Medicine on Malignant Tumor Treatment", Guangzhou, 510095, PR China.
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16
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Steinberger KJ, Bailey MT, Gross AC, Sumner LA, Voorhees JL, Crouser N, Curry JM, Wang Y, DeVries AC, Marsh CB, Glaser R, Yang EV, Eubank TD. Stress-induced Norepinephrine Downregulates CCL2 in Macrophages to Suppress Tumor Growth in a Model of Malignant Melanoma. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2020; 13:747-760. [PMID: 32518084 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-19-0370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Psychological stressors have been implicated in the progression of various tumor types. We investigated a role for stress in tumor immune cell chemotaxis in the B16F10 mouse model of malignant melanoma. We exposed female mice to 6-hour periods of restraint stress (RST) for 7 days, then implanted B16F10 malignant melanoma tumor cells and continued the RST paradigm for 14 additional days. We determined serum corticosterone and liver catecholamine concentrations in these mice. To evaluate the tumor microenvironment, we performed IHC and examined cytokine expression profiles using ELISA-based analysis of tumor homogenates. We found that tumors in mice subjected to RST grew significantly slower, had reduced tumor C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), and contained fewer F4/80-positive macrophages than tumors from unstressed mice. We observed a concomitant increase in norepinephrine among the RST mice. An in vitro assay confirmed that norepinephrine downregulates CCL2 production in both mouse and human macrophages, and that pretreatment with the pan-β-adrenergic receptor inhibitor nadolol rescues this activity. Furthermore, RST had no effect on tumor growth in transgenic CCL2-deficient mice. This study suggests that stress reduces malignant melanoma by reducing recruitment of tumor-promoting macrophages by CCL2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla J Steinberger
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia.,Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Michael T Bailey
- Section of Oral Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.,Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Amy C Gross
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Laura A Sumner
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jeffrey L Voorhees
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Nisha Crouser
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jennifer M Curry
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Yijie Wang
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - A Courtney DeVries
- West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, West Virginia.,Departments of Medicine & Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Clay B Marsh
- Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | | | - Eric V Yang
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. .,Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Timothy D Eubank
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. .,West Virginia University Cancer Institute, Morgantown, West Virginia
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17
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Potential Circulating Biomarkers of Recurrence after Hepatic Resection or Liver Transplantation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12051275. [PMID: 32443546 PMCID: PMC7281651 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12051275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Improving surgical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients would greatly benefit from biomarkers. Angiogenesis and inflammation are hallmarks of HCC progression and therapeutic targets. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated preoperative clinical variables and circulating (plasma) biomarkers of angiogenesis and inflammation in a cohort of HCC patients who underwent liver resection (LR) or transplantation (LT). Biomarker correlation with outcomes—freedom of liver recurrence (FLR), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS)—was tested using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: Survival outcomes associated with sVEGFR1, VEGF and VEGF-C in LT patients and with IL-10 in LR patients. Moreover, in LT patients within Milan criteria, higher plasma VEGF and sVEGFR1 were associated with worse outcomes, while in those outside Milan criteria lower plasma VEGF-C associated with better outcomes. Multivariate analysis indicated that adding plasma VEGF or VEGF-C to a predictive model including Milan criteria and AFP improved prediction of DFS and OS (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Survival outcomes after LR or LT differentially associated with angiogenic and inflammatory biomarkers. High plasma VEGF correlated with poorer prognosis within Milan criteria while low plasma VEGF-C associated with better prognosis outside Milan criteria. These candidate biomarkers should be further validated to improve patient stratification.
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18
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Ceci C, Atzori MG, Lacal PM, Graziani G. Role of VEGFs/VEGFR-1 Signaling and its Inhibition in Modulating Tumor Invasion: Experimental Evidence in Different Metastatic Cancer Models. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1388. [PMID: 32085654 PMCID: PMC7073125 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family members, VEGF-A, placenta growth factor (PlGF), and to a lesser extent VEGF-B, play an essential role in tumor-associated angiogenesis, tissue infiltration, and metastasis formation. Although VEGF-A can activate both VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 membrane receptors, PlGF and VEGF-B exclusively interact with VEGFR-1. Differently from VEGFR-2, which is involved both in physiological and pathological angiogenesis, in the adult VEGFR-1 is required only for pathological angiogenesis. Besides this role in tumor endothelium, ligand-mediated stimulation of VEGFR-1 expressed in tumor cells may directly induce cell chemotaxis and extracellular matrix invasion. Furthermore, VEGFR-1 activation in myeloid progenitors and tumor-associated macrophages favors cancer immune escape through the release of immunosuppressive cytokines. These properties have prompted a number of preclinical and clinical studies to analyze VEGFR-1 involvement in the metastatic process. The aim of the present review is to highlight the contribution of VEGFs/VEGFR-1 signaling in the progression of different tumor types and to provide an overview of the therapeutic approaches targeting VEGFR-1 currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ceci
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.A.)
| | - Maria Grazia Atzori
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.A.)
| | - Pedro Miguel Lacal
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, “Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico”, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy;
| | - Grazia Graziani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (C.C.); (M.G.A.)
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Hao D, Li Y, Zhao G, Zhang M. Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1-enriched exosomes suppress the growth of small cell lung cancer by inhibiting endothelial cell migration. Thorac Cancer 2019; 10:1962-1972. [PMID: 31441580 PMCID: PMC6775022 DOI: 10.1111/1759-7714.13175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have reported that soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) possesses anti‐tumor effects by inhibiting angiogenesis in many cancers. Exosomes can be engineered as delivery vehicles for transferring functional biomolecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (DNA, mRNA, and miRNA) to target cells to affect inflammation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether exosomes can function as efficient carriers of sFlt‐1 in vitro and in vivo, to play a role in SCLC therapy. Methods We adopted three different methods: TEM, NTA and western blot analysis to characterize the cell‐derived exosomes from NCI‐H69 SCLC cell line and normal bronchial epithelial BEAS‐2B cell line. we next explored the effects of these exosomes on HUVE cell proliferation and migration in vitro.To verify sFlt‐1‐loaded exosomes suppress the tumor growth in vivo,we established subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice using the NCI‐H69 cell line. Results We observed that NCI‐H69‐exo significantly increased human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) migration compared to BEAS‐2B‐exo in vitro and in vivo. sFlt‐1 protein expression was statistically higher in BEAS‐2B‐exo than NCI‐H69‐exo. sFlt‐1 protein or sFlt‐1‐enriched exosomes can inhibit the migration of HUVECs. Furthermore, sFlt‐1‐enriched exosomes exhibited higher inhibition efficacy on pro‐angiogenesis of NCI‐H69‐exo in comparison with the same concentration of sFlt‐1 protein. Intriguingly, sFlt‐1‐loaded exosomes showed marked anti‐tumor activity by inhibiting the growth of NCI‐H69 tumor xenografts. CD31 staining revealed that sFlt‐1‐loaded exosomes significantly reduced the vascular density of experimental mice. sFlt‐1‐loaded exosomes markedly induced tumor apoptosis and inhibited tumor cell proliferation in mice. Conclusion Exosomes from a SCLC cell line contain low levels of sFlt‐1 and significantly increased the migration of HUVECs. SFlt‐1‐enriched exosomes can inhibit NCI‐H69‐exo‐induced HUVEC migration. Exosomes enriched in sFlt‐1 have the potential to be effective therapeutic agents for SCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexun Hao
- Department of Geriatric Respiratory Ward, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanshuang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Gaofeng Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mingzhi Zhang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Modulation of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Activity through Alternative Splicing of Ligands and Receptors in the VEGF-A/VEGFR Axis. Cells 2019; 8:cells8040288. [PMID: 30925751 PMCID: PMC6523102 DOI: 10.3390/cells8040288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) signaling is essential for physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Alternative splicing of the VEGF-A pre-mRNA gives rise to a pro-angiogenic family of isoforms with a differing number of amino acids (VEGF-Axxxa), as well as a family of isoforms with anti-angiogenic properties (VEGF-Axxxb). The biological functions of VEGF-A proteins are mediated by a family of cognate protein tyrosine kinase receptors, known as the VEGF receptors (VEGFRs). VEGF-A binds to both VEGFR-1, largely suggested to function as a decoy receptor, and VEGFR-2, the predominant signaling receptor. Both VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 can also be alternatively spliced to generate soluble isoforms (sVEGFR-1/sVEGFR-2). The disruption of the splicing of just one of these genes can result in changes to the entire VEGF-A/VEGFR signaling axis, such as the increase in VEGF-A165a relative to VEGF-A165b resulting in increased VEGFR-2 signaling and aberrant angiogenesis in cancer. Research into this signaling axis has recently focused on manipulating the splicing of these genes as a potential therapeutic avenue in disease. Therefore, further research into understanding the mechanisms by which the splicing of VEGF-A/VEGFR-1/VEGFR-2 is regulated will help in the development of drugs aimed at manipulating splicing or inhibiting specific splice isoforms in a therapeutic manner.
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21
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Guastafierro A, Verdura V, Di Pace B, Faenza M, Rubino C. The Influence of Breast Cancer on the Distribution of Cherry Angiomas on the Anterior Thoracic Wall: A Case Series Study. Dermatology 2018; 235:65-70. [PMID: 30380550 DOI: 10.1159/000493974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Cherry angiomas (CAs) are one of the most common vascular manifestations of the skin. By and large, these benign lesions often only represent an aesthetic problem. In the literature, few authors have focused on the pathogenesis of these lesions, and some risk factors have been identified, such as the presence of cutaneous and non-skin neoplasias. In this study, the correlation between the distribution of CAs and breast cancer was investigated. METHODS We carried out a study whereby 50 women with unilateral breast cancer and the presence of CAs on the anterior thoracic wall were evaluated, with a particular focus on the difference in the number of CAs between the two haemithoraces. The data was elaborated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test in order to evaluate whether there was a statistical significance in the distribution of CAs. RESULTS In 31 patients we found that the number of CAs was greater on the cancerous breast than on the contralateral one (p value <0.0001). This was confirmed both in the group of patients suffering from ductal breast cancer and in the group with early invasive breast tumours. CONCLUSION It is not clear whether CAs develop prior to or following breast cancer, indicating the possibility that this cutaneous manifestation could take on a predictive, prognostic development or represent only an epiphenomenon. Further in-depth studies into the pathogenesis of CAs and the relationship with breast cancer could lead to noteworthy diagnostic-therapeutic advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Guastafierro
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, Plastic Surgery Unit, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples,
| | - Vincenzo Verdura
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, Plastic Surgery Unit, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Bruno Di Pace
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, Plastic Surgery Unit, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Faenza
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, Plastic Surgery Unit, University of Study of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Corrado Rubino
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, Plastic Surgery Unit, University of Salerno, Plastic Surgery Unit, San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona University Hospital Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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22
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Lacal PM, Graziani G. Therapeutic implication of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) targeting in cancer cells and tumor microenvironment by competitive and non-competitive inhibitors. Pharmacol Res 2018; 136:97-107. [PMID: 30170190 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) is a tyrosine kinase receptor for VEGF-A, VEGF-B, and placental growth factor (PlGF) ligands that is expressed in endothelial, myelomonocytic and tumor cells. VEGF-B and PlGF exclusively bind to VEGFR-1, whereas VEGF-A also binds to VEGFR-2. At variance with VEGFR-2, VEGFR-1 does not play a relevant role in physiological angiogenesis in the adult, while it is important in tumor-associated angiogenesis. VEGFR-1 and PlGF are expressed in a variety of tumors, promote invasiveness and contribute to resistance to anti-VEGF-A therapy. The currently approved antiangiogenic therapies for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors hamper VEGF-A signaling mediated by both VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-1 [i.e., the monoclonal antibody (mAb) anti-VEGF-A bevacizumab, the chimeric molecule aflibercept and several small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors] or exclusively by VEGFR-2 (i.e., the mAb anti-VEGFR-2 ramucirumab). However, molecules that interfere with VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling determine severe adverse effects due to inhibition of physiological angiogenesis and their efficacy is hampered by tumor infiltration of protumoral myeloid cells. Blockade of VEGFR-1 may exert anti-tumor activity by multiple mechanisms: a) inhibition of tumor-associated angiogenesis; b) reduction of myeloid progenitor mobilization and tumor infiltration by VEGFR-1 expressing M2 macrophages, which contribute to tumor progression and spreading; c) inhibition of invasiveness, vasculogenic mimicry and survival of VEGFR-1 positive tumor cells. As a consequence of these properties, molecules targeting VEGFR-1 are expected to produce less adverse effects and to counteract resistance towards anti-VEGF-A therapies. More interestingly, selective VEGFR-1 inhibition might enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this review, we will examine the experimental evidence available so far that supports targeting VEGFR-1 signal transduction pathway for cancer treatment by competitive inhibitors that prevent growth factor interaction with the receptor and non-competitive inhibitors that hamper receptor activation without affecting ligand binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Miguel Lacal
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Via Monti di Creta 104, 00167 Rome, Italy.
| | - Grazia Graziani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy.
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Jabeen S, Zucknick M, Nome M, Dannenfelser R, Fleischer T, Kumar S, Lüders T, von der Lippe Gythfeldt H, Troyanskaya O, Kyte JA, Børresen-Dale AL, Naume B, Tekpli X, Engebraaten O, Kristensen V. Serum cytokine levels in breast cancer patients during neoadjuvant treatment with bevacizumab. Oncoimmunology 2018; 7:e1457598. [PMID: 30377556 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2018.1457598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A high concentration of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cancer patients is associated with an aggressive tumor phenotype. Here, serum levels of 27 cytokines and blood cell counts were assessed in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab (Bev) in a randomized cohort of 132 patients with non-metastatic HER2-negative tumors. Cytokine levels were determined prior to treatment and at various time-points. The cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen of fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FEC) had a profound impact on both circulating white blood cells and circulating cytokine levels. At the end of FEC treatment, the global decrease in cytokine levels correlated with the drop in white blood cell counts and was significantly greater in the patients of the Bev arm for cytokines, such as VEGF-A, IL-12, IP-10 and IL-10. Among patients who received Bev, those with pathological complete response (pCR) exhibited significantly lower levels of VEGF-A, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-4 than patients without pCR. This effect was not observed in the chemotherapy-only arm. Certain circulating cytokine profiles were found to correlate with different immune cell types at the tumor site. For the Bev arm patients, the serum cytokine levels correlated with higher levels of cytotoxic T cells at the end of the therapy regimen, which was indicative of treatment response. The higher response rate for Bev-treated patients and stronger correlations between serum cytokine levels and infiltrating CD8T cells merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakila Jabeen
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Division of Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Manuela Zucknick
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marianne Nome
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Division of Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ruth Dannenfelser
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America.,Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Thomas Fleischer
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Surendra Kumar
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Division of Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Torben Lüders
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Division of Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hedda von der Lippe Gythfeldt
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olga Troyanskaya
- Department of Computer Science, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America.,Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America.,Simons Center for Data Analysis, Simons Foundation, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jon Amund Kyte
- Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne-Lise Børresen-Dale
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjørn Naume
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Xavier Tekpli
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Division of Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olav Engebraaten
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Oncology, Oslo University Hospital Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Vessela Kristensen
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Division of Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Cancer Genetics, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo, Norway
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24
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The sVEGFR1-i13 splice variant regulates a β1 integrin/VEGFR autocrine loop involved in the progression and the response to anti-angiogenic therapies of squamous cell lung carcinoma. Br J Cancer 2018; 118:1596-1608. [PMID: 29795310 PMCID: PMC6008445 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-018-0128-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While lung adenocarcinoma patients can somewhat benefit from anti-angiogenic therapies, patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma (SQLC) cannot. The reasons for this discrepancy remain largely unknown. Soluble VEGF receptor-1, namely sVEGFR1-i13, is a truncated splice variant of the cell membrane-spanning VEGFR1 that has no transmembrane or tyrosine kinase domain. sVEGFR1-i13 is mainly viewed as an anti-angiogenic factor which counteracts VEGF-A/VEGFR signalling in endothelial cells. However, its role in tumour cells is poorly known. METHODS mRNA and protein status were analysed by Real-Time qPCR, western blotting, ELISA assay, proximity ligation assay or immunohistochemistry in human tumour cell lines, murine tumourgrafts and non small cell lung carcinoma patients samples. RESULTS We show that anti-angiogenic therapies specifically increase the levels of sVEGFR1-i13 in SQLC cell lines and chemically induced SQLC murine tumourgrafts. At the molecular level, we characterise a sVEGFR1-i13/β1 integrin/VEGFR autocrine loop which determines whether SQLC cells proliferate or go into apoptosis, in response to anti-angiogenic therapies. Furthermore, we show that high levels of both sVEGFR1-i13 and β1 integrin mRNAs and proteins are associated with advanced stages in SQLC patients and with a poor clinical outcome in patients with early stage SQLC. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results reveal an unexpected pro-tumoural function of sVEGFR1-i13 in SQLC tumour cells, which contributes to their progression and escape from anti-angiogenic therapies. These data might help to understand why some SQLC patients do not respond to anti-angiogenic therapies.
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Cancer-associated fibroblasts affect breast cancer cell gene expression, invasion and angiogenesis. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2018; 41:369-378. [PMID: 29497991 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-018-0371-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE It has been reported that stromal cell features may affect the clinical outcome of breast cancer patients. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) represent one of the most abundant cell types within the breast cancer stroma. Here, we aimed to explore the influence of CAFs on breast cancer gene expression, as well as on invasion and angiogenesis. METHODS qRT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of several cancer progression related genes (S100A4, TGFβ, FGF2, FGF7, PDGFA, PDGFB, VEGFA, IL-6, IL-8, uPA, MMP2, MMP9, MMP11 and TIMP1) in the human breast cancer-derived cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, before and after co-culture with CAFs. Stromal mononuclear inflammatory cell (MIC) MMP11 expression was used to stratify primary tumors. In addition, we assessed the in vitro effects of CAFs on both MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell invasion and endothelial cell (HUVEC) tube formation. RESULTS We found that the expression levels of most of the genes tested were significantly increased in both breast cancer-derived cell lines after co-culture with CAFs from either MMP11+ or MMP11- MIC tumors. IL-6 and IL-8 showed an increased expression in both cancer-derived cell lines after co-culture with CAFs from MMP11+ MIC tumors. We also found that the invasive and angiogenic capacities of, respectively, MDA-MB-231 and HUVEC cells were increased after co-culture with CAFs, especially those from MMP11+ MIC tumors. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that tumor-derived CAFs can induce up-regulation of genes involved in breast cancer progression. Our data additionally indicate that CAFs, especially those derived from MMP11+ MIC tumors, can promote breast cancer cell invasion and angiogenesis.
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Bakrania AK, Variya BC, Rathod LV, Patel SS. DEAE-Dextran coated paclitaxel nanoparticles act as multifunctional nano system for intranuclear delivery to triple negative breast cancer through VEGF and NOTCH1 inhibition. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2018; 122:37-48. [PMID: 29031923 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 10/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Triple negative breast cancer revolution has identified a plethora of therapeutic targets making it apparent that a single target for its treatment could be rare hence creating an urge to develop robust technologies for combination drug therapy. Paclitaxel, hailed as the most significant advancement in chemotherapy faces several underpinnings due to its low solubility and permeability. Advancing research has demonstrated the role of interferons in cancer. DEAE-Dextran, an emerging molecule with evidence of interferon induction was utilized in the present study to develop a nanoformulation in conjugation with paclitaxel to target multiple therapeutic pathways, with diminution of paclitaxel adverse effects and develop a specific targeted nano system. Evidently, it was demonstrated that DEAE-Dextran coated nanoformulation portrays significant synergistic cytotoxicity in the various cell lines. Moreover, overcoming the activation of ROS by paclitaxel, the combination drug therapy more effectively inhibited ROS through β-interferon induction. The nanoformulation was further conjugated to FITC for internalization studies which subsequently indicated maximum cellular uptake at 60min post treatment demonstrated by green fluorescence from FITC lighting up the nuclear membrane. Precisely, the mechanistic approach of nuclear-targeted nanoformulation was evaluated by in vivo xenograft studies which showed a synergistic release of β-interferon at the target organ. Moreover, the combination nanoformulation inculcated multiple mechanistic approaches through VEGF and NOTCH1 inhibition along with dual β and γ-interferon overexpression. Overall, the combination therapy may be a promising multifunctional nanomaterial for intranuclear drug delivery in TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita K Bakrania
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382 481, India
| | - Bhavesh C Variya
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382 481, India; Department of Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Zydus Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India
| | | | - Snehal S Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382 481, India.
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Bakrania AK, Variya BC, Patel SS. Role of β-Interferon Inducer (DEAE-Dextran) in Tumorigenesis by VEGF and NOTCH1 Inhibition along with Apoptosis Induction. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:930. [PMID: 29311933 PMCID: PMC5742137 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As a novel target for breast cancer, interferon inducers have found its role as anti-angiogenic agents with diethylaminoethyl dextran (DEAE-Dextran) being a molecule used for centuries as a transfection agent. Our results herein offer an explanation for the emergence of DEAE-Dextran as an anti-tumor agent for TNBC with in-depth mechanistic approach as an anti-angiogenic molecule. DEAE-Dextran has found to possess cytotoxic activity demonstrated during the various in vitro cytotoxicity assays; moreover, as an anti-oxidant, DEAE-Dextran has shown to possess excellent reactive oxygen species scavenging activity. The interferon inducing capacity of DEAE-Dextran was determined qualitatively as well as quantitatively specifically demonstrating overexpression of β-interferon. As a measure of anti-proliferative activity, DEAE-Dextran exhibited reduced ki67, p53, and PCNA levels. Also, overexpression of CK5/6 and p63 in DEAE-Dextran treated animals indicated improvement in breast cell morphology along with an improvement in cell–cell adhesion by virtue of upregulation of β-catenin and E-cadherin. Anti-angiogenic property of DEAE-Dextran was concluded by the downregulation of CD31, VEGF, and NOTCH1 both in vivo and in vitro. Further, apoptosis due to DEAE-Dextran, initially determined by downregulation of Bcl2, was confirmed with flow cytometry. Overall, results are defensive of DEAE-Dextran as an emerging anti-tumor agent with mechanisms pertaining to β-interferon induction with probable VEGF and NOTCH1 inhibition as well as apoptosis which still needs to be studied in further depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita K Bakrania
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Bhavesh C Variya
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India.,Zydus Research Centre, Ahmedabad, India
| | - Snehal S Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, India
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28
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Vieira-Monteiro HDA, Freitas-Alves DR, Sobral-Leite M, Delou JMDA, Goulart-Citrangulo SMT, do Nascimento CT, E Castro TN, Koifman S, Perini JA, Vianna-Jorge R. Prognostic evaluation of VEGFA genotypes and haplotypes in a cohort of Brazilian women with non metastatic breast cancer. Cancer Biol Ther 2017; 17:674-83. [PMID: 27195611 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2016.1190486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) mediates angiogenesis, which is crucial for tumor development and progression. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of VEGFA gene polymorphisms rs699947, rs833061, rs1570360, rs2010963 and rs3025039 on breast cancer features and prognosis. A cohort of Brazilian women (N = 1038) with unilateral non-metastatic breast cancer was evaluated. The association between VEGFA polymorphisms and histopathological features or pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was evaluated by the Chi-square test, with calculation of the respective odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The impact of individual categories on disease-free survival was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models for calculation of adjusted hazard ratios (HRadjusted). Variant genotypes of rs699947 (CA + AA) were significantly associated with high-grade (G2 + G3) tumors (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.15 - 2.89), and with shorter disease-free survival among patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by mastectomy (HRadjusted = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.16 - 2.86). Variant genotypes of rs833061 (TC + CC) were significantly associated with high-grade (G2 + G3) tumors (OR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.12 - 2.84) and with positive lymph node status (OR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.01 - 1.77), but showed no independent effect on disease-free survival. Variant haplotypes (*2 to *5) appear to favor pCR (OR = 7.1; 95% CI = 1.7 - 30.1). VEGFA genotyping may add to prognostic evaluation of breast cancer, with rs699947 being the most likely to contribute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayra de Andrade Vieira-Monteiro
- a Coordenação de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional do Câncer , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil.,b Programa de Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente - Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública - FIOCRUZ , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil
| | - Daniely Regina Freitas-Alves
- a Coordenação de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional do Câncer , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil.,b Programa de Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente - Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública - FIOCRUZ , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil
| | - Marcelo Sobral-Leite
- a Coordenação de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional do Câncer , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil.,c Division of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - João Marcos de Azevedo Delou
- a Coordenação de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional do Câncer , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil.,d Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil
| | | | | | - Thales Nascimento E Castro
- a Coordenação de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional do Câncer , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil.,b Programa de Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente - Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública - FIOCRUZ , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil
| | - Sérgio Koifman
- b Programa de Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente - Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública - FIOCRUZ , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil
| | - Jamila Alessandra Perini
- b Programa de Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente - Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública - FIOCRUZ , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil.,e Laboratório de Pesquisa de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Unidade de Farmácia, Centro Universitário Estadual da Zona Oeste , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil
| | - Rosane Vianna-Jorge
- a Coordenação de Pesquisa, Instituto Nacional do Câncer , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil.,b Programa de Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente - Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública - FIOCRUZ , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil.,d Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , RJ , Brasil
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Kim M, Sohn M, Shim M, Choi SK, Park M, Kim E, Go H, Park Y, Cho YM, Ro JY, Jeong IG, Song C, Hong JH, Kim CS, Ahn H. Prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 2, platelet-derived growth factor- β (PDGF- β ), and PDGF- β receptor expression in papillary renal cell carcinoma. Hum Pathol 2017; 61:78-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Revised: 11/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Abou-Fayçal C, Hatat AS, Gazzeri S, Eymin B. Splice Variants of the RTK Family: Their Role in Tumour Progression and Response to Targeted Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020383. [PMID: 28208660 PMCID: PMC5343918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) belong to a family of transmembrane receptors that display tyrosine kinase activity and trigger the activation of downstream signalling pathways mainly involved in cell proliferation and survival. RTK amplification or somatic mutations leading to their constitutive activation and oncogenic properties have been reported in various tumour types. Numerous RTK-targeted therapies have been developed to counteract this hyperactivation. Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA has recently emerged as an important contributor to cancer development and tumour maintenance. Interestingly, RTKs are alternatively spliced. However, the biological functions of RTK splice variants, as well as the upstream signals that control their expression in tumours, remain to be understood. More importantly, it remains to be determined whether, and how, these splicing events may affect the response of tumour cells to RTK-targeted therapies, and inversely, whether these therapies may impact these splicing events. In this review, we will discuss the role of alternative splicing of RTKs in tumour progression and response to therapies, with a special focus on two major RTKs that control proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis, namely, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherine Abou-Fayçal
- Team RNA Splicing, Cell Signaling and Response to Therapies, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38702, France.
| | - Anne-Sophie Hatat
- Team RNA Splicing, Cell Signaling and Response to Therapies, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38702, France.
| | - Sylvie Gazzeri
- Team RNA Splicing, Cell Signaling and Response to Therapies, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38702, France.
| | - Beatrice Eymin
- Team RNA Splicing, Cell Signaling and Response to Therapies, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR5309, University Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble 38702, France.
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Lebok P, Huber J, Burandt EC, Lebeau A, Marx AH, Terracciano L, Heilenkötter U, Jänicke F, Müller V, Paluchowski P, Geist S, Wilke C, Simon R, Sauter G, Quaas A. Loss of membranous VEGFR1 expression is associated with an adverse phenotype and shortened survival in breast cancer. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:1443-50. [PMID: 27357606 PMCID: PMC4940099 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a key process in tumor growth and progression, which is controlled by vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors (VEGFRs). In order to better understand the prevalence and prognostic value of VEGFR1 expression in breast cancer, a tissue microarray containing >2,100 breast cancer specimens, with clinical follow‑up data, was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using an antibody directed against the membrane‑bound full‑length receptor protein. The results demonstrated that membranous VEGFR1 staining was detected in all (5 of 5) normal breast specimens. In carcinoma specimens, membranous staining was negative in 3.1%, weak in 6.3%, moderate in 10.9%, and strong in 79.7% of the 1,630 interpretable tissues. Strong staining was significantly associated with estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression, but was inversely associated with advanced tumor stage (P=0.0431), high Bloom-Richardson-Ellis Score for Breast Cancer grade and low Ki67 labeling index (both P<0.0001). Cancers with moderate to strong (high) VEGFR1 expression were associated with significantly improved overall survival, as compared with tumors exhibiting negative or weak (low) expression (P=0.0015). This association was also detected in the subset of nodal‑positive cancers (P=0.0018), and in the subset of 185 patients who had received tamoxifen as the sole therapy (P=0.001). In conclusion, these data indicated that membrane‑bound VEGFR1 is frequently expressed in normal and cancerous breast epithelium. In addition, reduced or lost VEGFR1 expression may serve as a marker for poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer, who might not optimally benefit from endocrine therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Lebok
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Huber
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eike-Christian Burandt
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Annette Lebeau
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Holger Marx
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luigi Terracciano
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Heilenkötter
- Department of Gynaecology, Hospital Itzehoe, D-25524 Itzehoe, Germany
| | - Fritz Jänicke
- Department of Gynaecology, Hospital Pinneberg, D-25421 Pinneberg, Germany
| | - Volkmar Müller
- Department of Gynaecology, Hospital Pinneberg, D-25421 Pinneberg, Germany
| | - Peter Paluchowski
- Department of Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Geist
- Department of Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Wilke
- Department of Gynaecology, Hospital Elmshorn, D-25337 Elmshorn, Germany
| | - Ronald Simon
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Guido Sauter
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Centre Hamburg‑Eppendorf, D‑20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Quaas
- Institute for Pathology, University of Cologne, D‑50937 Cologne, Germany
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Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induce Directional Migration of Invasive Breast Cancer Cells through TGF-β. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16941. [PMID: 26585689 PMCID: PMC4653660 DOI: 10.1038/srep16941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recruited to the tumor microenvironment and influence tumor progression; however, how MSCs induce the invasion of cancer cells is not completely understood. Here, we used a 3D coculture model to determine how MSCs affect the migration of invasive breast cancer cells. Coculture with MSCs increases the elongation, directional migration, and traction generation of breast cancer cells. MSC-induced directional migration directly correlates with traction generation and is mediated by transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and the migratory proteins rho-associated kinase, focal adhesion kinase, and matrix metalloproteinases. Treatment with MSC conditioned media or recombinant TGF-β1 elicits a similar migration response to coculture. Taken together, this work suggests TGF-β is secreted by MSCs, leading to force-dependent directional migration of invasive breast cancer cells. These pathways may be potential targets for blocking cancer cell invasion and subsequent metastasis.
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Wen L, Wang R, Lu X, You C. Expression and clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor and fms-related tyrosine kinase 1 in colorectal cancer. Oncol Lett 2015; 9:2414-2418. [PMID: 26137082 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.3013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, fms-related tyrosine kinase-1 (FLT-1), in patients with colorectal cancer. An immunohistochemical approach was used to detect the protein expression of VEGF and FLT-1 in 90 patients with colorectal cancer. The impact of VEGF and FLT-1 tumor cell expression, in addition to other factors, on overall survival (OS) was retrospectively assessed in 90 patients. Multivariate analysis was performed in order to determine the prognostic significance of the factors. The positive expression rate of VEGF in the colorectal cancer tissues was 62.2% (56/90). The positive expression rate of FLT-1 in colorectal cancer tissues was 48.9% (44/90). The results of the log-rank test revealed that improved OS rates were significantly associated with the absence of VEGF expression (P<0.0001). By contrast, FLT-1 expression had no significant impact on OS (P=0.289). Upon multivariate analysis, VEGF expression (P=0.038) and clinical stage (P=0.021) maintained significance. VEGF expression proved to be an independent negative predictor of OS in patients with colorectal cancer. Conversely, FLT-1 expression demonstrated no impact on OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linchun Wen
- Department of Oncology, Suqian People's Hospital of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group, Suqian, Jiangsu 223800, P.R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Oncology, Suqian People's Hospital of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group, Suqian, Jiangsu 223800, P.R. China
| | - Xiyan Lu
- Department of Oncology, Suqian People's Hospital of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group, Suqian, Jiangsu 223800, P.R. China
| | - Chuanwen You
- Department of Oncology, Suqian People's Hospital of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group, Suqian, Jiangsu 223800, P.R. China
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Scherbakov AM, Krasil'nikov MA, Kushlinskii NE. Molecular mechanisms of hormone resistance of breast cancer. Bull Exp Biol Med 2015; 155:384-95. [PMID: 24137610 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-013-2160-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
More than 70% malignant mammary tumors contain steroid hormone receptors; this suggests the possibility of hormone therapy in the majority of patients with breast cancer (BC). The main cause of inefficiency of hormone therapy in BC is hormone resistance (tumor resistance to hormonal cytostatics). Here we discuss the main mechanisms of hormone resistance of BC and the mechanisms underlying the formation of hormone resistance of the tumors are analyzed at the molecular level. The data on the signal pathways of estrogen receptors (ER), the key regulators of BC cell proliferation, are presented. The most important factors of BC hormone resistance are: high activity/expression of receptor tyrosine kinases; high activity of proteins regulating cell defense mechanisms (Akt PI3K, mTOR); changes in the activities of cell cycle regulator proteins (Myc, c-Fos, Cyclin D1). Our experiments have demonstrated that estrogen-independent BC cell growth is supported by VEGF/VEGFR2 and EGF/EGFR mitogenic signal pathways. Our data indicate that NF-kappaB transcription factor is directly involved in the regulation of hormone-resistant BC cell growth and survival, while NF-kappaB suppression determines cell sensitivity to apoptotic activity of antitumor compounds. On the whole, the results indicate good prospects of using EGFR, HER-2/neu, mTOR, VEGFR, PI3K/Akt molecular pathways as targets for BC therapy, including therapy for BC resistant forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Scherbakov
- N. N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
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Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogen for endothelial cells and plays an important role in physiological and tumor angiogenesis. The human VEGF gene has eight exons. Different VEGF isoforms are expressed via alternative RNA splicing and VEGF121 and VEGF165 are the major isoforms present in human tissues. The exact roles of these different VEGF isoforms are not totally clear. Assays to detect specific VEGF isoforms in biological samples are needed to understand the biological functions of these different VEGF isoforms and to better assess their potential use as predicative biomarkers for anti-angiogenic therapy. Because monoclonal antibodies specific to different VEGF isoforms are lacking, we used antibodies directed to different epitopes on VEGF165 in a set of three enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to assess the amount of VEGF121 and VEGF165 as well as VEGF110, which can be generated by plasmin cleavage in vivo. The first ELISA detects VEGF165. The second ELISA detects both VEGF121 and VEGF165. The third ELISA detects VEGF165, VEGF121, and VEGF110. The concentrations of VEGF121 can be assessed from the difference in VEGF concentrations measured by the second and the first ELISAs; the concentrations of VEGF110 can be assessed from the difference in VEGF concentrations measured by the third and the second ELISAs. The same assay strategy may be used to assess the amount of other VEGF isoforms if antibodies directed against the desired amino acids in those isoforms can be obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Michel Vernes
- Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
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Tumor microvasculature characteristics studied by image analysis: histologically-driven angiogenic profile. Int J Biol Markers 2014; 29:e204-7. [PMID: 25041785 DOI: 10.5301/jbm.5000098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis, a hallmark of cancer, has been studied to be a potential marker for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy in breast cancer. To evaluate tumor angiogenesis, histological assessment has been a common approach and counting tumor microvessels after visualizing them by immunohistochemistry has been in use for a long time. With recent advances in digital pathology and image analysis, other characteristics of tumor vasculature can also be evaluated. In this article we briefly review the potentials of image analysis in assessing tumor microvessel morphologically that might be helpful in defining a better angiogenesis marker than other common markers like vessel count.
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Angiogenesis and tumor microenvironment: bevacizumab in the breast cancer model. Target Oncol 2014; 10:189-98. [PMID: 25185646 DOI: 10.1007/s11523-014-0334-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Solid tumors require blood vessels for growth, and many new cancer therapies are directed against the tumor vasculature. Antiangiogenic therapies should destroy the tumor vasculature, thereby depriving the tumor of oxygen and nutrients. According to Jain et al., an alternative hypothesis could be that certain antiangiogenic agents can also transiently "normalize" the abnormal structure and function of tumor vasculature to make it more efficient for oxygen and drug delivery. With emphasize on the research works of Jain et al., the aim of this review is to describe the impact of antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy on "pseudo-normalization" of tumor vasculature and tumor microenvironment, its role in early and metastatic breast cancer, and the clinical evidence supporting this original concept. The phase III clinical trials showed that extended tumors, metastatic or locally advanced, are likely to benefit from bevacizumab therapy in combination with chemotherapy, assuming that a high level of tumor neoangiogenesis as in triple-negative tumors is the best target. In adjuvant setting, the lower level of tumor vasculature could mask a potential benefit of anti-VEGF therapy. All these findings highlight the need to identify biomarkers to help in the selection of patients most likely to respond to anti-VEGF therapy, to better understand the mechanism of angiogenesis and of resistance to anti-VEGF therapy according to molecular subtypes.
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Xia L, Dong Z, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Song X, Sun M, Hu Y, Liu S, Wang K, Qu X, Wei F. Interleukin-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor mediates the upregulation of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 in RAW264.7 cells-a process in which p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling has an important role. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2014; 49:344-51. [PMID: 25132397 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2014.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2013] [Revised: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGFR1) antagonizes angiogenesis by inhibiting the biological function of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immature dendritic cells (imDCs) express high levels of sVEGFR1 during development and are antiangiogenic. This study aimed to investigate the changes in VEGFR1, sVEGFR1, and VEGF levels during the development of imDCs and explore the underlying signaling mechanisms. METHODS To model the differentiation of imDCs from monocytes, RAW264.7 cells, a murine monocyte/macrophage cell line, were stimulated by interleukin-4 (IL-4; 10 ng/mL, 20 ng/mL, and 40 ng/mL) and/or by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF; 10 ng/mL, 20 ng/mL, and 50 ng/mL) and/or pretreated by the p38 inhibitor SB203580. The levels of VEGFR1, sVEGFR1, and VEGF were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS IL-4 increased the VEGFR1 mRNA and sVEGFR1 levels in RAW264.7 (p < 0.05). This increase was inhibited by SB203580. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor increased the sVEGFR1 levels, but it had no significant effect on VEGFR1 mRNA levels. SB203580 decreased the expression of VEGFR1 mRNA induced by GM-CSF, whereas sVEGFR1 was unaffected. IL-4 had a greater effect on sVEGFR1 levels, compared to GM-CSF. CONCLUSION IL-4 and GM-CSF increased sVEGFR1 levels, but did not significantly effect VEGF expression, and led to the antiangiogenesis properties of monocytes. p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling has an important role in the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Xia
- Department of Stomatology, Qilu Hospital, and Institute of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China; Department of Stomatology, Shuguang Branch of Shanghai Baoshan Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Zhaogang Dong
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Proteomics in Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Qilu Hospital, and Institute of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Xiaoying Zhang
- Department of Stomatology, Qilu Hospital, and Institute of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Xiaobin Song
- Department of Stomatology, Qilu Hospital, and Institute of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Mingxia Sun
- Department of Stomatology, Qilu Hospital, and Institute of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Yingwei Hu
- Department of Stomatology, Qilu Hospital, and Institute of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Shaohua Liu
- Department of Stomatology, Qilu Hospital, and Institute of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Ketao Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Qilu Hospital, and Institute of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Xun Qu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Proteomics in Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
| | - Fengcai Wei
- Department of Stomatology, Qilu Hospital, and Institute of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan, PR China
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Saarelainen SK, Staff S, Peltonen N, Lehtimäki T, Isola J, Kujala PM, Vuento MH, Mäenpää JU. Endoglin, VEGF, and its receptors in predicting metastases in endometrial carcinoma. Tumour Biol 2014; 35:4651-7. [PMID: 24420153 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-014-1609-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Preoperative evaluation of the risk for metastases in endometrial carcinoma is challenging. The growth of new vessels, angiogenesis, is important for tumor growth and purported to be involved in the metastatic process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of preoperative serum levels and immunohistochemical expression of angiogenic markers in predicting a metastasized disease. Preoperative sera from 98 consecutive women presenting with endometrial carcinoma were collected. Serum concentrations of VEGF, sFLT1, and CD105 were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of CD105, VEGF, FLT1, and KDR. The results were correlated to the presence of metastases, presence of deep (≥50%) myometrial invasion, and the histological grade of the tumor. Tumors with other than endometrioid histology were excluded. Of the 80 evaluable patients, 11 had a metastasized disease. The serum concentration of VEGF was higher in the group with metastases than in the group without metastases (median [range], 743 pg/mL [546-1,183 pg/mL] vs. 383 pg/mL [31-1,524 pg/mL], p < 0.001, respectively). In the multivariable analysis, the concentration of VEGF was the sole independent, albeit weak predictive factor for the presence of metastases (odds ratio, 1.004, 95% confidence interval, 1.002-1.007; p = 0.001). The immunohistochemical expression of the markers was not associated with any of the clinicopathological features of the tumors. The results of the present study suggest that preoperative serum VEGF concentration correlates with the presence of metastases in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami K Saarelainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, P.O. Box 2000, FI-33521, Tampere, Finland,
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Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 expression in breast cancer and its correlation to vascular endothelial growth factor a. Int J Breast Cancer 2013; 2013:746749. [PMID: 24416596 PMCID: PMC3876677 DOI: 10.1155/2013/746749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
VEGF-A is the most potent angiogenic factor in tumour angiogenesis. Its effects are mediated via two receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. Primary aim of our study was to examine the expression of VEGFR-1 in breast cancer and its correlation to VEGF expression, lymph node status, tumour size, histological grade, and hormone receptor status. To examine the VEGFR-1 and VEGF expressions in tumour and surrounding tissue of 51 breast cancer patients, and in healthy breast tissue of 30 benign breast diseases patients, we used three-step immunohistochemical staining. VEGFR-1 and VEGF expressions were significantly increased in breast cancer tumour in relation to surrounding tissue (P < 0.01), and the VEGF expression was significantly increased in lymph node positive breast cancer patients (P < 0.01). VEGFR-1 and VEGF expressions were significantly higher in breast cancer tumour compared with healthy breast tissue (P < 0.01). Significant correlation between VEGF and VEGFR-1 expressions was found (P < 0.05). No significant correlations between VEGF and VEGFR-1 expressions and tumour size, histological grade, and hormone receptor status were found. Increased expression of VEGFR-1 and VEGF in breast cancer tumour and significant correlation between these proteins suggest the possible role of VEGF/VEGFR-1 signalization in breast cancer development, although VEGFR-1 potential prognostic value was not confirmed.
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The VEGF pathway in lung cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2013; 72:1169-81. [DOI: 10.1007/s00280-013-2298-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Increased plasma levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sFlt-1) in women by moderate exercise and increased plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor in overweight/obese women. Eur J Cancer Prev 2013; 22:83-9. [PMID: 22609636 DOI: 10.1097/cej.0b013e328353ed81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of breast cancer is increasing worldwide, and this seems to be related to an increase in lifestyle risk factors, including physical inactivity and overweight/obesity. We have reported previously that exercise induced a circulating angiostatic phenotype characterized by increased soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and endostatin and decreased unbound vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in men. However, there are no data on women. The present study determines the following: (a) whether moderate exercise increased sFlt-1 and endostatin and decreased unbound VEGF in the circulation of adult female volunteers and (b) whether overweight/obese women have a higher plasma level of unbound VEGF than lean women. A total of 72 African American and White adult women volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 44 years were enrolled in the exercise study. All the participants walked on a treadmill for 30 min at a moderate intensity (55-59% heart rate reserve), and oxygen consumption (VO(2)) was quantified utilizing a metabolic cart. We obtained blood samples before and immediately after exercise from 63 participants. ELISA assays showed that the plasma levels of sFlt-1 were 67.8±3.7 pg/ml immediately after exercise (30 min), significantly higher than the basal levels, 54.5±3.3 pg/ml, before exercise (P<0.01; n=63). There was no significant difference in the % increase in the sFlt-1 levels after exercise between African American and White (P=0.533) women or between lean and overweight/obese women (P=0.892). There was no significant difference in the plasma levels of unbound VEGF (35.28±5.47 vs. 35.23±4.96 pg/ml; P=0.99) or endostatin (111.12±5.48 vs. 115.45±7.15 ng/ml; P=0.63) before and after exercise. The basal plasma levels of unbound VEGF in overweight/obese women were 52.26±9.6 pg/ml, significantly higher than the basal levels of unbound VEGF in lean women, 27.34±4.99 pg/ml (P<0.05). The results support our hypothesis that exercise-induced plasma levels of sFlt-1 could be an important clinical biomarker to explore the mechanisms of exercise training in reducing the progression of breast cancer and that VEGF is an important biomarker in obesity and obesity-related cancer progression.
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Khazaei M. Diabetic retinopathy and vascular endothelial growth factor. JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN MEDICAL SCIENCES : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF ISFAHAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2013; 18:536. [PMID: 24250710 PMCID: PMC3818631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Majid Khazaei
- Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran,Address for correspondence: Dr. Majid Khazaei, Department of Physiology, Hezar Jarib Ave, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. E-mail:
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Sa-Nguanraksa D, O-Charoenrat P. The role of vascular endothelial growth factor a polymorphisms in breast cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2012. [PMID: 23203097 PMCID: PMC3509613 DOI: 10.3390/ijms131114845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females and the leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, plays an important role in the development and progression of breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), the key modulator of angiogenesis, is highly expressed in cancer tissue and correlates with its more aggressive features. Polymorphisms of VEGFA alter the levels of expression and subsequently influence the susceptibility and aggressiveness of breast cancer. Assessment of VEGFA polymorphisms may be used for the identification of patients suitable for anti-VEGFA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doonyapat Sa-Nguanraksa
- Division of Head-Neck and Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
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Linardou H, Kalogeras KT, Kronenwett R, Kouvatseas G, Wirtz RM, Zagouri F, Gogas H, Christodoulou C, Koutras AK, Samantas E, Pectasides D, Bafaloukos D, Fountzilas G. The prognostic and predictive value of mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor family members in breast cancer: a study in primary tumors of high-risk early breast cancer patients participating in a randomized Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group trial. Breast Cancer Res 2012; 14:R145. [PMID: 23146280 PMCID: PMC4053134 DOI: 10.1186/bcr3354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The main prognostic variables in early breast cancer are tumor size, histological grade, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PgR) status, number of positive nodes and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. The present study evaluated the prognostic and/or predictive value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family members in high-risk early breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemo-hormonotherapy. METHODS RNA was isolated from 308 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumor samples from breast cancer patients enrolled in the HE10/97 trial, evaluating adjuvant dose-dense sequential chemotherapy with epirubicin followed by cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil (CMF) with or without paclitaxel (E-T-CMF versus E-CMF). A fully automated method based on magnetic beads was applied for RNA extraction, followed by one-step quantitative RT-PCR for mRNA analysis of VEGF-A, -B, -C and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 1, 2, 3. RESULTS With a median follow-up of 8 years, 109 patients (35%) developed a relapse and 80 patients (26%) died. In high VEGF-C and VEGFR1 mRNA expressing tumors, ER/PgR-negative tumors (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.001 and P = 0.021, respectively) and HER2-positive tumors (P <0.001 and P = 0.028, respectively) were more frequent than in low VEGF-C and VEGFR1 expressing tumors, respectively. From the VEGF family members evaluated, high VEGFR1 mRNA expression (above the 75th percentile) emerged as a significant negative prognostic factor for overall survival (OS; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01 to 2.55, Wald's P = 0.047) and disease-free survival (DFS; HR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.48, P = 0.010), when adjusting for treatment group. High VEGF-C mRNA expression was predictive for benefit from adjuvant treatment with paclitaxel (E-T-CMF arm) for OS (test for interaction, Wald's P = 0.038), while in multivariate analysis the interaction of VEGF-C with taxane treatment was significant for both OS (Wald's P = 0.019) and DFS (P = 0.041) and continuous VEGF-B mRNA expression values for OS (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS The present study reports, for the first time, that VEGF-C mRNA overexpression, as assessed by qRT-PCR, has a strong predictive value in high-risk early breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant paclitaxel-containing treatment. Further studies are warranted to validate the prognostic and/or predictive value of VEGF-B, VEGF-C and VEGFR1 in patients treated with adjuvant therapies and to reveal which members of the VEGF family could possibly be useful markers in identifying patients who will benefit most from anti-VEGF strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12611000506998.
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A phase II trial of thalidomide in patients with refractory uterine carcinosarcoma and correlation with biomarkers of angiogenesis: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study. Gynecol Oncol 2012; 127:356-61. [PMID: 22796461 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.07.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2012] [Revised: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of thalidomide in previously-treated, measurable, persistent or recurrent carcinosarcoma of the uterus, and to explore associations between angiogenic markers with patient demographics and clinical outcome. METHODS Eligible, consenting patients were treated until disease progression or toxicity intervened with daily starting dose of 200 mg thalidomide/day that was increased by 200 mg every 2 weeks to a target dose of 1000 mg/day. Endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS)≥6 months (primary), toxicity, response, overall PFS and survival. Pre- and post-treatment plasma were evaluated for a panel of angiogenic biomarkers and assessed against clinical outcomes. RESULTS Of 55 enrolled patients, 45 were evaluable for toxicity and survival. Two patients (4%; 90% CI 1-13%) experienced a partial response, and 8 (18%; 90% CI 9-30%) had PFS≥6 months. Median PFS was 1.9 months and median survival was 5.9 months. Grade 2-3 sensory neuropathy was noted in 6 patients, and 4, 3, and 3 patients experienced grade 3 sedation, fatigue, and constipation, respectively. Three patients had grade 4 adverse events (2 thromboembolic, 1 anemia). High pre-treatment VEGFA levels were associated with poorer PFS and survival. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with thalidomide met the protocol specified goal of prolonging PFS at 6 months. However, based on results with newer agents, the activity was insufficient to support further investigation. Association between pre-treatment VEGFA and prognosis in this population supports further evaluation of anti-angiogenic therapies in uterine carcinosarcoma.
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Dhakal HP, Naume B, Synnestvedt M, Borgen E, Kaaresen R, Schlichting E, Wiedswang G, Bassarova A, Holm R, Giercksky KE, Nesland JM. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 2 in invasive breast carcinoma: prognostic significance and relationship with markers for aggressiveness. Histopathology 2012; 61:350-64. [PMID: 22690749 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2012.04223.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR-1) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) play a role in breast cancer growth and angiogenesis. We examined the expression and relationship with clinical outcome and other prognostic factors. METHODS AND RESULTS Tumour sections from 468 breast cancer patients were immunostained for VEGF, VEGFR-1, and VEGFR-2, and their relationships with tumour vascularity, disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) in bone marrow and other clinicopathological parameters were evaluated. VEGF, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 immunoreactivities were observed in invasive breast carcinoma cells. VEGF expression was significantly associated with VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 expression (P < 0.001). High-level cytoplasmic expression of VEGFR-1 was associated with significantly reduced distant disease-free survival (DDFS) (P = 0.017, log-rank) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) (P = 0.005, log-rank) for all patients, and for node-negative patients without systemic treatment (DDFS, P = 0.03, log-rank; BCSS, P = 0.009, log-rank). VEGFR-1 expression was significantly associated with histopathological markers of aggressiveness (P < 0.05). Significantly reduced survival was observed in DTC-positive patients as compared with DTC-negative patients in the combined moderate/high VEGFR-1 group (P < 0.001 for DDFS and BCSS), and the same was true for DDFS in the moderate VEGFR-2 group (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS High-level expression of VEGFR-1 indicates reduced survival. Higher-level expression of VEGFR-1 or VEGFR-2 in primary breast carcinomas combined with the presence of DTC selects a prognostically unfavourable patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Prasad Dhakal
- Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
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Bruce D, Tan PH. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and the therapeutic targeting of angiogenesis in cancer: where do we go from here? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 18:85-103. [PMID: 22017472 DOI: 10.3109/15419061.2011.619673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor receptors (VEGFRs), the interactions with their ligands and the subsequent signalling pathways are known to play a vital role in tumour angiogenesis. Initial clinical trials of VEGFR inhibitors were disappointing but over the past decade some therapies have been successfully brought to market. At present, VEGFR inhibitors appear to be most promising as adjuvants to conventional chemotherapy. However, several interacting signalling molecules and downstream pathways have recently been shown to interact with VEGFR signalling and provide promising novel targets, such as the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epithelial growth factor (EGF), human epithelial receptor-2, (HER-2) Tie-2 and oestrogen receptors. Elucidation of this web of signalling pathways may identify new therapeutic strategies which may be used in combination with VEGFR inhibitors to augment the efficacy of anti-angiogenic cancer treatments. This review assesses the role of modulating VEGFR activity in cancer and systematically examines current evidence and trials in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bruce
- Nuffield Department of Surgical Science, Oxford University, The John Radcliffe, Headley Way, Oxford, UK
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Yang F, Jin C, Jiang YJ, Li J, Di Y, Fu DL. Potential role of soluble VEGFR-1 in antiangiogenesis therapy for cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2011; 11:541-9. [PMID: 21504321 DOI: 10.1586/era.10.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Antiangiogenesis therapy for cancer may inhibit tumor growth and metastasis when combined with chemotherapy, and has received a great deal of attention over recent years. However, accurate assessments of biological efficacy and toxicity are major hurdles for this approach. Soluble VEGF receptor-1 (sFlt-1) has been reported to have a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, the hallmark of which is similar to the toxicities related to antiangiogenesis therapy. Clinical evidence and animal studies support the hypothesis that sFlt-1 may contribute to hypertension and proteinuria in patients treated with anti-VEGF agents. The intratumoral imbalance between sFlt-1 and VEGF levels correlates with the malignancy grades of tumors, survival and responsiveness to therapy. The therapeutic potential of sFlt-1 as an antiangiogenic agent has been validated by an increasing number of preclinical studies. Furthermore, antiangiogenesis therapy changes the concentration of circulating VEGF, PlGF, sFlt-1, soluble VEGFR-2 and even soluble VEGFR-3, with some of these being identified as potential biomarkers of response and toxicity. All these factors suggest that sFlt-1 may prove invaluable for driving the future development of molecular therapeutics with novel targets and mechanisms of action, and its impact on antiangiogenesis therapy in cancers needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Yang
- Pancreatic Disease Institute, Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Huashan Hospital, 12 Central Urumqi Road, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
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Is VEGF a predictive biomarker to anti-angiogenic therapy? Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2011; 79:103-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2010.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Revised: 06/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/14/2010] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
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