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Leitch IM, Gerometta M, Eichenbaum D, Finger RP, Steinle NC, Baldwin ME. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C and D Signaling Pathways as Potential Targets for the Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Narrative Review. Ophthalmol Ther 2024; 13:1857-1875. [PMID: 38824253 PMCID: PMC11178757 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-024-00973-4] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of treatments targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathways have traditionally been firstly investigated in oncology and then advanced into retinal disease indications. Members of the VEGF family of endogenous ligands and their respective receptors play a central role in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis during both development and physiological homeostasis. They can also play a pathogenic role in cancer and retinal diseases. Therapeutic approaches have mostly focused on targeting VEGF-A signaling; however, research has shown that VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling pathways are also important to the disease pathogenesis of tumors and retinal diseases. This review highlights the important therapeutic advances and the remaining unmet need for improved therapies targeting additional mechanisms beyond VEGF-A. Additionally, it provides an overview of alternative VEGF-C and VEGF-D signaling involvement in both health and disease, highlighting their key contributions in the multifactorial pathophysiology of retinal disease including neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). Strategies for targeting VEGF-C/-D signaling pathways will also be reviewed, with an emphasis on agents currently being developed for the treatment of nAMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M Leitch
- Opthea Limited, 650 Chapel Street, Level 4, Melbourne, VIC, 3141, Australia.
| | - Michael Gerometta
- Opthea Limited, 650 Chapel Street, Level 4, Melbourne, VIC, 3141, Australia
| | - David Eichenbaum
- Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, 33711, USA
| | - Robert P Finger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Megan E Baldwin
- Opthea Limited, 650 Chapel Street, Level 4, Melbourne, VIC, 3141, Australia
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Yang Q, Chen Z, Qiu Y, Huang W, Wang T, Song L, Sun X, Li C, Xu X, Kang L. Theranostic role of 89Zr- and 177Lu-labeled aflibercept in breast cancer. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2024; 51:1246-1260. [PMID: 38135849 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-023-06575-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis due to the absence of effective therapeutic targets. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family are expressed in 30-60% of TNBC, therefore providing potential therapeutic targets for TNBC. Aflibercept (Abe), a humanized recombinant fusion protein specifically bound to VEGF-A, B and placental growth factor (PIGF), has proven to be effective in the treatment in some cancers. Therefore, 89Zr/177Lu-labeled Abe was investigated for its theranostic role in TNBC. METHODS Abe was radiolabeled with 89Zr and 177Lu via the conjugation of chelators. Flow cytometry and cell immunofluorescent staining were performed to evaluate the binding affinity of Abe. Sequential PET imaging and fluorescent imaging were conducted in TNBC tumor bearing mice following the injection of 89Zr-labeled Abe and Cy5.5-labeled Abe. Treatment study was performed after the administration of 177Lu-labeled Abe. Tumor volume and survival were monitored and SPECT imaging and biodistribution studies were conducted. Safety evaluation was performed including body weight, blood cell measurement, and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining of major organs. Expression of VEGF and CD31 was tested by immunohistochemical staining. Dosimetry was estimated using the OLINDA software. RESULTS FITC-labeled Abe showed a strong binding affinity to VEGF in TNBC 4T1 cells and HUVECs by flow cytometry and cell immunofluorescence. Tumor uptake of 89Zr-labeled Abe peaked at 120 h (SUVmax = 3.2 ± 0.64) and persisted before 168 h (SUVmax = 2.54 ± 0.42). The fluorescence intensity of the Cy5.5-labeled Abe group surpassed that of the Cy5.5-labeled IgG group, implying that Cy5.5-labeled Abe is a viable candidate monitoring in vivo tumor targeting and localization. 177Lu-labeled Abe (11.1 MBq) served well as the therapeutic component to suppress tumor growth with standardized tumor volume at 16 days, significantly smaller than PBS group (about 815.66 ± 3.58% vs 3646.52 ± 11.10%, n = 5, P < 0.01). Moreover, SPECT images confirmed high contrast between tumors and normal organs, indicating selective tumor uptake of 177Lu-labeled Abe. No discernible abnormalities in blood cells, and no evident histopathological abnormality observed in liver, spleen, and kidney. Immunohistochemical staining showed that 177Lu-labeled Abe effectively inhibited the expression of VEGF and CD31 of tumor, suggesting that angiogenesis may be suppressed by 177Lu-labeled Abe. The whole-body effective dose for an adult human was estimated to be 0.16 mSv/MBq. CONCLUSION 89Zr/177Lu-labeled Abe could be a TNBC-specific marker with diagnostic value and provide insights into targeted therapy in the treatment of TNBC. Further clinical evaluation and translation may be of high significance for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Yang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Str., Xicheng Dist., Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Zhao Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Str., Xicheng Dist., Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Yongkang Qiu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Str., Xicheng Dist., Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Wenpeng Huang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Str., Xicheng Dist., Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Tianyao Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Str., Xicheng Dist., Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Lele Song
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Str., Xicheng Dist., Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Xinyao Sun
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Str., Xicheng Dist., Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Cuicui Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, 95 Yong'an Rd., Xicheng Dist., Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Xiaojie Xu
- Department of Medical Molecular Biology, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Lei Kang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking University First Hospital, No. 8 Xishiku Str., Xicheng Dist., Beijing, 100034, China.
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Shaw P, Dwivedi SKD, Bhattacharya R, Mukherjee P, Rao G. VEGF signaling: Role in angiogenesis and beyond. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189079. [PMID: 38280470 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a crucial process for tissue development, repair, and tumor survival. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key driver secreted by cancer cells, promoting neovascularization. While VEGF's role in angiogenesis is well-documented, its influence on the other aspects in tumor microenvironemt is less discussed. This review elaborates on VEGF's impact on intercellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment, including how VEGF affects pericyte proliferation and migration and mediates interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and cancer cells, resulting in PDL-1-mediated immunosuppression and Nrf2-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The review discusses VEGF's involvement in intra-organelle crosstalk, tumor metabolism, stemness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It also provides insights into current anti-VEGF therapies and their limitations in cancer treatment. Overall, this review aims to provide a thorough overview of the current state of knowledge concerning VEGF signaling and its impact, not only on angiogenesis but also on various other oncogenic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallab Shaw
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Shailendra Kumar Dhar Dwivedi
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Resham Bhattacharya
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Priyabrata Mukherjee
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Geeta Rao
- Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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Tang B, Ma W, Lin Y. Emerging applications of anti-angiogenic nanomaterials in oncotherapy. J Control Release 2023; 364:61-78. [PMID: 37871753 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is the process of generating new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature. Under normal conditions, this process is delicately controlled by pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. Tumor cells can produce plentiful pro-angiogenic molecules promoting pathological angiogenesis for uncontrollable growth. Therefore, anti-angiogenic therapy, which aims to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, has become an attractive approach for oncotherapy. However, classic anti-angiogenic agents have several limitations in clinical use, such as lack of specific targeting, low bioavailability, and poor therapeutic outcomes. Hence, alternative angiogenic inhibitors are highly desired. With the emergence of nanotechnology, various nanomaterials have been designed for anti-angiogenesis purposes, offering promising features like excellent targeting capabilities, reduced side effects, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we describe tumor vascular features, discuss current dilemma of traditional anti-angiogenic medicines in oncotherapy, and underline the potential of nanomaterials in tumor anti-angiogenic therapy. Moreover, we discuss the current challenges of anti-angiogenic cancer treatment. We expect that this summary of anti-angiogenic nanomaterials in oncotherapy will offer valuable insights, facilitating their extensive applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bicai Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China; Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China
| | - Wenjuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China; Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
| | - Yunfeng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China; Sichuan Provincial Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
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Kim N, Ko Y, Shin Y, Park J, Lee AJ, Kim KW, Pyo J. Comprehensive Analysis for Anti-Cancer Target-Indication Prioritization of Placental Growth Factor Inhibitor (PGF) by Use of Omics and Patient Survival Data. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:970. [PMID: 37508400 PMCID: PMC10376188 DOI: 10.3390/biology12070970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The expression of the placental growth factor (PGF) in cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment can contribute to the induction of angiogenesis, supporting cancer cell metabolism by ensuring an adequate blood supply. Angiogenesis is a key component of cancer metabolism as it facilitates the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to rapidly growing tumor cells. PGF is recognized as a novel target for anti-cancer treatment due to its ability to overcome resistance to existing angiogenesis inhibitors and its impact on the tumor microenvironment. We aimed to integrate bioinformatics evidence using various data sources and analytic tools for target-indication identification of the PGF target and prioritize the indication across various cancer types as an initial step of drug development. The data analysis included PGF gene function, molecular pathway, protein interaction, gene expression and mutation across cancer type, survival prognosis and tumor immune infiltration association with PGF. The overall evaluation was conducted given the totality of evidence, to target the PGF gene to treat the cancer where the PGF level was highly expressed in a certain tumor type with poor survival prognosis as well as possibly associated with poor tumor infiltration level. PGF showed a significant impact on overall survival in several cancers through univariate or multivariate survival analysis. The cancers considered as target diseases for PGF inhibitors, due to their potential effects on PGF, are adrenocortical carcinoma, kidney cancers, liver hepatocellular carcinoma, stomach adenocarcinoma, and uveal melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nari Kim
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Yousun Ko
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngbin Shin
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Jisuk Park
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Amy Junghyun Lee
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Won Kim
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Junhee Pyo
- Department of Medical Science, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
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Manzi J, Hoff CO, Ferreira R, Pimentel A, Datta J, Livingstone AS, Vianna R, Abreu P. Targeted Therapies in Colorectal Cancer: Recent Advances in Biomarkers, Landmark Trials, and Future Perspectives. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15113023. [PMID: 37296986 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15113023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2022, approximately 600,000 cancer deaths were expected; more than 50,000 of those deaths would be from colorectal cancer (CRC). The CRC mortality rate in the US has decreased in recent decades, with a 51% drop between 1976 and 2014. This drop is attributed, in part, to the tremendous therapeutic improvements, especially after the 2000s, in addition to increased social awareness regarding risk factors and diagnostic improvement. Five-fluorouracil, irinotecan, capecitabine, and later oxaliplatin were the mainstays of mCRC treatment from the 1960s to 2002. Since then, more than a dozen drugs have been approved for the disease, betting on a new chapter in medicine, precision oncology, which uses patient and tumor characteristics to guide the therapeutic choice. Thus, this review will summarize the current literature on targeted therapies, highlighting the molecular biomarkers involved and their pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao Manzi
- Miami Transplant Institute, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Camilla O Hoff
- Miami Transplant Institute, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Raphaella Ferreira
- Miami Transplant Institute, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Agustin Pimentel
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Jashodeep Datta
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Alan S Livingstone
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Rodrigo Vianna
- Miami Transplant Institute, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Phillipe Abreu
- Miami Transplant Institute, Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Vimalraj S. A concise review of VEGF, PDGF, FGF, Notch, angiopoietin, and HGF signalling in tumor angiogenesis with a focus on alternative approaches and future directions. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 221:1428-1438. [PMID: 36122781 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.09.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis forms new vessels from existing ones. Abnormal angiogenesis, which is what gives tumor microenvironments their distinctive features, is characterised by convoluted, permeable blood vessels with a variety of shapes and high perfusion efficiency. Tumor angiogenesis controls cancer growth by allowing invasion and metastasis and is highly controlled by signalling networks. Therapeutic techniques targeting VEGF, PDGF, FGF Notch, Angiopoietin, and HGF signalling restrict the tumor's vascular supply. Numerous pathways regulate angiogenesis, and when one of those processes is blocked, the other pathways may step in to help. VEGF signalling inhibition alone has limits as an antiangiogenic therapy, and additional angiogenic pathways such as FGF, PDGF, Notch, angiopoietin, and HGF are important. For the treatment of advanced solid tumors, there are also new, emerging medicines that target multiple angiogenic pathways. Recent therapies block numerous signalling channels concurrently. This study focuses on 'alternative' methods to standard antiangiogenic medicines, such as cyclooxygenase-2 blocking, oligonucleotide binding complementary sites to noncoding RNAs to regulate mRNA target, matrix metalloproteinase inhibition and CRISPR/Cas9 based gene edition and dissecting alternative angiogenesis mechanism in tumor microenvironment.
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