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Pawlik VE, Sonntag SR, Grisanti S, Tura A, Kakkassery V, Ranjbar M. Impact of Nintedanib and Anti-Angiogenic Agents on Uveal Melanoma Cell Behavior. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:30. [PMID: 38381412 PMCID: PMC10893901 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.2.30] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the direct impact of the combined angiokinase inhibitor nintedanib as well as the anti-angiogenic agents ranibizumab, bevacizumab, and aflibercept on the primary uveal melanoma (UM) cell line Mel270 and liver metastasis UM cell line OMM2.5. Methods The metabolic activity, viability, and oxidative stress levels were analyzed by the Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT), LIVE/DEAD, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays. Expression of intracellular VEGF-A165 and VEGF receptor-2 was detected by immunofluorescent staining. The secretion of VEGF-A165 into the cell culture supernatants was evaluated by VEGF-A165 ELISA. Results Nintedanib, at a concentration of 1 µg/mL, resulted in a median reduction of metabolic activity (for Mel270 of approximately 38% and for OMM2.5 of 46% compared to the untreated control) without exerting toxicity in either cell line, whereas the other 3 substances did not result in any changes (which also means that none of the 4 substances led to an increased cell death). Moreover, nintedanib (1 µg/mL) induced oxidative stress in the Mel270 by approximately 1.2 to 1.5-fold compared to the untreated control, but not the OMM2.5 cells. Conclusions Nintedanib could suppress the growth of UM cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The metastatic UM cell line OMM2.5 was not sensitive to the pro-oxidant activity of nintedanib. This study was the first to investigate nintedanib in the context of UM. We propose further investigation of this substance to elucidate its effects on this tumor entity with the hope of identifying advantageous therapeutic options for future adjuvant tumor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera E. Pawlik
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | | | - Aysegül Tura
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Mahdy Ranjbar
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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Tao X, Liu K, Li W, Zhao S, Liu C, Dai Q, Dong T, Wei P, Duan J, Wang J, Xi M. Saponin of Aralia taibaiensis promotes angiogenesis through VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway in cerebral ischemic mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 317:116771. [PMID: 37308026 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Aralia taibaiensis is known for its ability to promote blood circulation and dispel blood stasis, activate meridians and remove arthralgia. The saponins of Aralia taibaiensis (sAT) are the main active components that are often used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, it has not been reported whether sAT can improve ischemic stroke (IS) by promoting angiogenesis. AIM OF THE STUDY In this study, we investigated the potential of sAT to promote post-ischemic angiogenesis in mice and determined the underlying mechanism through in vitro experiments. METHODS To establish the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mice model in vivo. First of all, we examined the neurological function, brain infarct volume, and degree of brain swelling in MCAO mice. We also observed pathological changes in brain tissue, ultrastructural changes in blood vessels and neurons, and the degree of vascular neovascularization. Additionally, we established the oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) -human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) model in vitro to detect the survival, proliferation, migration and tube formation of OGD/R HUVECs. Finally, we verified the regulatory mechanism of Src and PLCγ1 siRNA on sAT promoting angiogenesis by cell transfection technique. RESULTS In the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion mice, sAT distinctly improved the cerebral infarct volume, brain swelling degree, neurological dysfunction, and brain histopathological morphology due to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. It also increased the double positive expression of BrdU and CD31 in brain tissue, promoted the release of VEGF and NO and decreased the release of NSE and LDH. In the OGD/R HUVECs, sAT significantly improved cell survival, proliferation, migration and tube formation, promoted the release of VEGF and NO, and increased the expression of VEGF, VEGFR2, PLCγ1, ERK1/2, Src and eNOS. Surprisingly, the effect of sAT on angiogenesis was inhibited by Src siRNA and PLCγ1 siRNA in OGD/R HUVECs. CONCLUSION The results proved that sAT promotes angiogenesis in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion mice and its mechanism is to regulate VEGF/VEGFR2 and then regulate Src/eNOS and PLCγ1/ERK1/2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingru Tao
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China; College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712046, China
| | - Kedi Liu
- TANK Medicinal Biology Institute of Xi'an, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China
| | - Weihong Li
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712046, China
| | - Shi Zhao
- TANK Medicinal Biology Institute of Xi'an, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China
| | - Chengzhao Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712046, China
| | - Qi Dai
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712046, China
| | - Taiwei Dong
- College of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712046, China
| | - Peifeng Wei
- National Drug Clinical Trial Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712000, China.
| | - Jialin Duan
- Institute of Medicine, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710072, China.
| | - Jingwen Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China.
| | - Miaomiao Xi
- TANK Medicinal Biology Institute of Xi'an, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, 710032, China; National Drug Clinical Trial Institute, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Shaanxi University of TCM, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province, 712000, China.
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Rekowska AK, Obuchowska K, Bartosik M, Kimber-Trojnar Ż, Słodzińska M, Wierzchowska-Opoka M, Leszczyńska-Gorzelak B. Biomolecules Involved in Both Metastasis and Placenta Accreta Spectrum-Does the Common Pathophysiological Pathway Exist? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092618. [PMID: 37174083 PMCID: PMC10177254 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial in the implantation of the blastocyst and subsequent placental development. The trophoblast, consisting of villous and extravillous zones, plays different roles in these processes. Pathological states, such as placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), can arise due to dysfunction of the trophoblast or defective decidualization, leading to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Studies have drawn parallels between placentation and carcinogenesis, with both processes involving EMT and the establishment of a microenvironment that facilitates invasion and infiltration. This article presents a review of molecular biomarkers involved in both the microenvironment of tumors and placental cells, including placental growth factor (PlGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), E-cadherin (CDH1), laminin γ2 (LAMC2), the zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox (ZEB) proteins, αVβ3 integrin, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), β-catenin, cofilin-1 (CFL-1), and interleukin-35 (IL-35). Understanding the similarities and differences in these processes may provide insights into the development of therapeutic options for both PAS and metastatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Rekowska
- Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Karolina Obuchowska
- Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Magdalena Bartosik
- Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Żaneta Kimber-Trojnar
- Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Magdalena Słodzińska
- Chair and Department of Obstetrics and Perinatology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
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Tran TT, Caulfield J, Zhang L, Schoenfeld D, Djureinovic D, Chiang VL, Oria V, Weiss SA, Olino K, Jilaveanu LB, Kluger HM. Lenvatinib or anti-VEGF in combination with anti-PD-1 differentially augments antitumor activity in melanoma. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e157347. [PMID: 36821392 PMCID: PMC10132152 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.157347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting tumor-associated blood vessels to increase immune infiltration may enhance treatment effectiveness, yet limited data exist regarding anti-angiogenesis effects on the tumor microenvironment (TME). We hypothesized that dual targeting of angiogenesis with immune checkpoints would improve both intracranial and extracranial disease. We used subcutaneous and left ventricle melanoma models to evaluate anti-PD-1/anti-VEGF and anti-PD-1/lenvatinib (pan-VEGFR inhibitor) combinations. Cytokine/chemokine profiling and flow cytometry were performed to assess signaling and immune-infiltrating populations. An in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model was utilized to study intracranial treatment effects on endothelial integrity and leukocyte transmigration. Anti-PD-1 with either anti-VEGF or lenvatinib improved survival and decreased tumor growth in systemic melanoma murine models; treatment increased Th1 cytokine/chemokine signaling. Lenvatinib decreased tumor-associated macrophages but increased plasmacytoid DCs early in treatment; this effect was not evident with anti-VEGF. Both lenvatinib and anti-VEGF resulted in decreased intratumoral blood vessels. Although anti-VEGF promoted endothelial stabilization in an in vitro BBB model, while lenvatinib did not, both regimens enabled leukocyte transmigration. The combined targeting of PD-1 and VEGF or its receptors promotes enhanced melanoma antitumor activity, yet their effects on the TME are quite different. These studies provide insights into dual anti-PD-1 and anti-angiogenesis combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy T. Tran
- Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jasmine Caulfield
- Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lin Zhang
- Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - David Schoenfeld
- Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Dijana Djureinovic
- Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Veronica L. Chiang
- Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Victor Oria
- Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sarah A. Weiss
- Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kelly Olino
- Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lucia B. Jilaveanu
- Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Harriet M. Kluger
- Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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WNT5A-ROR2 axis mediates VEGF dependence of BRAF mutant melanoma. Cell Oncol 2022; 46:391-407. [PMID: 36539575 PMCID: PMC10060292 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-022-00757-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Despite recent advances, approximately 50% of patient with metastatic melanoma eventually succumb to the disease. Patients with melanomas harboring a BRAF mutation (BRAFMut) have a worse prognosis than those with wildtype (BRAFWT) tumors. Unexpectedly, interim AVAST-M Phase III trial data reported benefit from adjuvant anti-VEGF bevacizumab only in the BRAFMut group. We sought to find mechanisms underpinning this sensitivity.
Methods
We investigated this finding in vitro and in vivo using melanoma cell lines and clones generated by BRAFV600E knock-in on a BRAFWT background.
Results
Compared with BRAFWT cells, isogenic BRAFV600E clones secreted more VEGF and exhibited accelerated growth rates as spheroids and xenografts, which were more vascular and proliferative. Recapitulating AVAST-M findings, bevacizumab affected only BRAFV600E xenografts, inducing significant tumor growth delay, reduced vascularity and increased necrosis. We identified 814 differentially expressed genes in isogenic BRAFV600E/BRAFWT clones. Of 61 genes concordantly deregulated in clinical melanomas ROR2 was one of the most upregulated by BRAFV600E. ROR2 was shown to be RAF-MEK regulated in BRAFV600E cells and its depletion suppressed VEGF secretion down to BRAFWT levels. The ROR2 ligand WNT5A was also overexpressed in BRAFMut melanomas, and in ROR2-overexpressing BRAFV600E cells MEK inhibition downregulated WNT5A and VEGF secretion.
Conclusions
These data implicate WNT5A-ROR2 in VEGF secretion, vascularity, adverse outcomes and bevacizumab sensitivity of BRAFMut melanomas, suggesting that this axis has potential therapeutic relevance.
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Hofmann E, Eggers B, Heim N, Kramer FJ, Nokhbehsaim M, Götz W. Bevacizumab and sunitinib mediate osteogenic and pro-inflammatory molecular changes in primary human alveolar osteoblasts in vitro. Odontology 2022; 110:634-647. [PMID: 35171372 PMCID: PMC9463285 DOI: 10.1007/s10266-022-00691-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Antiangiogenic medications target the de novo blood vessel formation in tumorigenesis. However, these novel drugs have been linked to the onset of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the effects of the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) antibody bevacizumab (BEV) and the receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (RTKI) sunitinib (SUN) on primary human osteoblasts derived from the alveolar bone. Primary human alveolar osteoblasts (HAOBs) were treated with BEV or SUN for 48 h. Cellular metabolic activity was examined by XTT assay. Differentially regulated genes were identified by screening of 22 selected osteogenic and angiogenic markers by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT2-PCR). Protein levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type 1, α1 (COL1A1) and secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich (SPARC) were examined by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Treatment with BEV and SUN did not exhibit direct cytotoxic effects in HAOBs as confirmed by XTT assay. Of the 22 genes examined by qRT2-PCR, four genes were significantly regulated after BEV treatment and eight genes in the SUN group as compared to the control group. Gene expression levels of ALPL, COL1A1 and SPARC were significantly downregulated by both drugs. Further analysis by ELISA indicated the downregulation of protein levels of ALP, COL1A1 and SPARC in the BEV and SUN groups. The effects of BEV and SUN in HAOBs may be mediated by alterations to osteogenic and catabolic markers. Therapeutic or preventive strategies in MRONJ may address drug-induced depression of osteoblast differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Hofmann
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Welschnonnenstr 17, 53111, Bonn, Germany.
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Benedikt Eggers
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Welschnonnenstr 17, 53111, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nils Heim
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Welschnonnenstr 17, 53111, Bonn, Germany
| | - Franz-Josef Kramer
- Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Welschnonnenstr 17, 53111, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marjan Nokhbehsaim
- Section of Experimental Dento-Maxillo-Facial Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, 53111, Bonn, Germany
| | - Werner Götz
- Department of Orthodontics, University Hospital Bonn, 53111, Bonn, Germany
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Bogusławska-Duch J, Ducher-Hanaka M, Zajkowska A, Czajka M, Małecki M. Therapeutic combination silencing VEGF and SOX10 increases the antiangiogenic effect in the mouse melanoma model B16-F10 - in vitro and in vivo studies. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2021; 38:887-898. [PMID: 34849139 PMCID: PMC8610042 DOI: 10.5114/ada.2021.110461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gene therapy is an innovative form of treatment of genetic diseases, in which psiRNA molecules silencing specific genes are applied. AIM The study evaluated the anti-tumour effect of psiRNA silencing preparations of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Sry-related HMG-Box gene 10 (SOX10) on melanoma (B16-F10) by inhibiting angiogenesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS The preparations based on plasmid vectors psiRNA silencing the gene SOX10 and VEGF that form complexes with cationic lipid (psiRNA/carrier) have been developed. psiRNA preparations were tested on the mouse melanoma cell line B16-F10, both in vitro and in vivo. The silencing activity of transfected melanoma cells with the obtained psiRNA preparations was examined using the qPCR and Western blot methods. The anti-tumour activity of psiRNA preparations on melanoma tumour cells was then evaluated in a mouse in vivo model. RESULTS In vitro studies have shown that the B16-F10 cells efficiently transfect non-viral preparations - psiRNA: Lyovec (74-89%). Worth mentioning is the fact that silencing SOX10 in B16-F10 melanoma cells increases the expression of the COL18A1 gene (compared to the preparation inhibiting only VEGF), which codes the endostatin to stop angiogenesis. In vivo results show that the level of haemoglobin in tumours of mice treated with psiRNA formulations was over 6 times lower than controls and tumour mass was 60-80% lower. CONCLUSIONS The novel study proves that simultaneous inhibition of SOX10 and VEGF enhances the antiangiogenic action and thus contributes to a significant halt of disease development. In addition, these data expand knowledge about SOX10 regulation and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Agnieszka Zajkowska
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Milena Czajka
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Małecki
- Department of Applied Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Alonso-Diez Á, Cáceres S, Peña L, Crespo B, Illera JC. Anti-Angiogenic Treatments Interact with Steroid Secretion in Inflammatory Breast Cancer Triple Negative Cell Lines. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:3668. [PMID: 34359570 PMCID: PMC8345132 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a highly angiogenic disease for which antiangiogenic therapy has demonstrated only a modest response, and the reason for this remains unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the influence of different antiangiogenic therapies on in vitro and in vivo steroid hormone and angiogenic growth factor production using canine and human inflammatory breast carcinoma cell lines as well as the possible involvement of sex steroid hormones in angiogenesis. IPC-366 and SUM149 cell lines and xenotransplanted mice were treated with different concentrations of VEGF, SU5416, bevacizumab and celecoxib. Steroid hormone (progesterone, dehydroepiandrostenedione, androstenedione, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estrone sulphate and 17β-oestradiol), angiogenic growth factors (VEGF-A, VEGF-C and VEGF-D) and IL-8 determinations in culture media, tumour homogenate and serum samples were assayed by EIA. In vitro, progesterone- and 17β-oestradiol-induced VEGF production promoting cell proliferation and androgens are involved in the formation of vascular-like structures. In vivo, intratumoural testosterone concentrations were augmented and possibly associated with decreased metastatic rates, whereas elevated E1SO4 concentrations could promote tumour progression after antiangiogenic therapies. In conclusion, sex steroid hormones could regulate the production of angiogenic factors. The intratumoural measurement of sex steroids and growth factors may be useful to develop preventive and individualized therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángela Alonso-Diez
- Department Animal Medicine, Surgery and Pathology, Veterinary Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Cáceres
- Department Animal Physiology, Veterinary Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Peña
- Department Animal Medicine, Surgery and Pathology, Veterinary Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Crespo
- Department Animal Physiology, Veterinary Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Illera
- Department Animal Physiology, Veterinary Medicine School, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Bevacizumab regulates inflammatory cytokines and inhibits VEGFR2 signaling pathway in an ovalbumin-induced rat model of airway hypersensitivity. Inflammopharmacology 2021; 29:683-694. [PMID: 33742375 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-021-00798-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bevacizumab with anti-angiogenesis properties reduces the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level and has widely been used to treat various diseases such as lung diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study, therefore, aimed to consider the effects of bevacizumab on VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and lung inflammation of the ovalbumin-induced rat model of airway hypersensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-one male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 7 in each group): (1) control, (2) ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized, and (3) OVA-sensitized with bevacizumab (OVA + Bmab). Groups 2 and 3 were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminum hydroxide on days 1, 8 and challenged with OVA on day 15 by atomization for 10 days (inhalation). After OVA sensitization, the OVA + Bmab was treated with bevacizumab for 2 weeks. VEGFR2 was semiquantitatively analyzed in the lungs by immunohistochemistry. VEGF was measured in the lung tissue by ELISA method. The mRNA of IL-10 and IL-6 lung tissue were measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS Ovalbumin exposure promoted the expression of VEGF and resulted in inflammatory factors overexpression (p ≤ 0.05). However, rats in OVA + Bmab group showed significantly a decrease in VEGFR2 and IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and an increase in IL-10 (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION The results show that bevacizumab efficiently diminishes bronchial inflammation via reducing the expression of VEGFR2, and IL-6 genes and enhancing the expression of IL-10 gene. Hence, bevacizumab could be considered as a potential candidate drug to control pathological conditions relevant to airway hypersensitivity.
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10
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Resistance to Molecularly Targeted Therapies in Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13051115. [PMID: 33807778 PMCID: PMC7961479 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13051115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer with invasive growth patterns. In 2021, 106,110 patients are projected to be diagnosed with melanoma, out of which 7180 are expected to die. Traditional methods like surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are not effective in the treatment of metastatic and advanced melanoma. Recent approaches to treat melanoma have focused on biomarkers that play significant roles in cell growth, proliferation, migration, and survival. Several FDA-approved molecular targeted therapies such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed against genetic biomarkers whose overexpression is implicated in tumorigenesis. The use of targeted therapies as an alternative or supplement to immunotherapy has revolutionized the management of metastatic melanoma. Although this treatment strategy is more efficacious and less toxic in comparison to traditional therapies, targeted therapies are less effective after prolonged treatment due to acquired resistance caused by mutations and activation of alternative mechanisms in melanoma tumors. Recent studies focus on understanding the mechanisms of acquired resistance to these current therapies. Further research is needed for the development of better approaches to improve prognosis in melanoma patients. In this article, various melanoma biomarkers including BRAF, MEK, RAS, c-KIT, VEGFR, c-MET and PI3K are described, and their potential mechanisms for drug resistance are discussed.
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11
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Fane ME, Ecker BL, Kaur A, Marino GE, Alicea GM, Douglass SM, Chhabra Y, Webster MR, Marshall A, Colling R, Espinosa O, Coupe N, Maroo N, Campo L, Middleton MR, Corrie P, Xu X, Karakousis GC, Weeraratna AT. sFRP2 Supersedes VEGF as an Age-related Driver of Angiogenesis in Melanoma, Affecting Response to Anti-VEGF Therapy in Older Patients. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:5709-5719. [PMID: 33097493 PMCID: PMC7642114 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-0446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Angiogenesis is thought to be critical for tumor metastasis. However, inhibiting angiogenesis using antibodies such as bevacizumab (Avastin), has had little impact on melanoma patient survival. We have demonstrated that both angiogenesis and metastasis are increased in older individuals, and therefore sought to investigate whether there was an age-related difference in response to bevacizumab, and if so, what the underlying mechanism could be. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We analyzed data from the AVAST-M trial of 1,343 patients with melanoma treated with bevacizumab to determine whether there is an age-dependent response to bevacizumab. We also examined the age-dependent expression of VEGF and its cognate receptors in patients with melanoma, while using syngeneic melanoma animal models to target VEGF in young versus old mice. We also examined the age-related proangiogenic factor secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (sFRP2) and whether it could modulate response to anti-VEGF therapy. RESULTS We show that older patients respond poorly to bevacizumab, whereas younger patients show improvement in both disease-free survival and overall survival. We find that targeting VEGF does not ablate angiogenesis in an aged mouse model, while sFRP2 promotes angiogenesis in vitro and in young mice. Targeting sFRP2 in aged mice successfully ablates angiogenesis, while the effects of targeting VEGF in young mice can be overcome by increasing sFRP2. CONCLUSIONS VEGF is decreased during aging, thereby reducing response to bevacizumab. Despite the decrease in VEGF, angiogenesis is increased because of an increase in sFRP2 in the aged tumor microenvironment. These results stress the importance of considering age as a factor for designing targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell E Fane
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brett L Ecker
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amanpreet Kaur
- Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Gloria E Marino
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gretchen M Alicea
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stephen M Douglass
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Yash Chhabra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Marie R Webster
- The Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrea Marshall
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Colling
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Oxford University Hospitals, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Olivia Espinosa
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Oxford University Hospitals, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Coupe
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Neera Maroo
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Leticia Campo
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mark R Middleton
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Pippa Corrie
- Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland. .,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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12
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Resistance of melanoma cells to anticancer treatment: a role of vascular endothelial growth factor. Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2020; 37:11-18. [PMID: 32467677 PMCID: PMC7247075 DOI: 10.5114/ada.2020.93378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and resistant to treatment neoplasms. There are still many challenges despite many promising advances in anticancer treatment. Currently, the main problem for all types of treatment is associated with heterogeneity. Due to heterogeneity of cancer cells, "precise" targeting of a medicine against a single phenotype limits the efficacy of treatment and affects resistance to applied therapy. Therefore it is important to understand aetiology and reasons for heterogeneity in order to develop effective and long-lasting treatment. This review summarises roles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that may stimulate growth of a melanoma tumour irrespective of its proangiogenic effects, contributing to cancer heterogeneity. VEGF triggers processes associated with extracellular matrix remodelling, cell migration, invasion, angiogenesis, inhibition of immune responses and favours phenotypic plasticity and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Consequently, it participates in mechanisms of interactions between melanoma cancer cells and microenvironment and it can modify sensitivity to therapeutic factors.
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13
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Ramezani S, Vousooghi N, Joghataei MT, Chabok SY. The Role of Kinase Signaling in Resistance to Bevacizumab Therapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2020; 34:345-354. [PMID: 31411929 DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2018.2651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor and is characterized by vascular hyperplasia, necrosis, and high cell proliferation. Despite current standard therapies, including surgical resection and chemoradiotherapy, GBM patients survive for only about 15 months after diagnosis. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an antiangiogenesis medication for recurrent GBM-bevacizumab-which has improved progression-free survival in GBM patients. Although bevacizumab has resulted in significant early clinical benefit, it inescapably predisposes tumor to relapse that can be represented as an infiltrative phenotype. Fundamentally, bevacizumab antagonizes the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), which is consistently released on both endothelial cells (ECs) and GBM cells. Actually, VEGFA inhibition on the ECs leads to the suppression of vascular progression, permeability, and the vasogenic edema. However, the consequence of the VEGFA pathway blockage on the GBM cells remains controversial. Nevertheless, a piece of evidence supports the relationship between bevacizumab application and compensatory activation of kinase signaling within GBM cells, leading to a tumor cell invasion known as the main mechanism of bevacizumab-induced tumor resistance. A complete understanding of kinase responses associated with tumor invasion in bevacizumab-resistant GBMs offers new therapeutic opportunities. Thus, this study aimed at presenting a brief overview of preclinical and clinical data of the tumor invasion and resistance induced by bevacizumab administration in GBMs, with a focus on the kinase responses during treatment. The novel therapeutic strategies to overcome this resistance by targeting protein kinases have also been summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ramezani
- 1Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.,2Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Nasim Vousooghi
- 3Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,4Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,5Research Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taghi Joghataei
- 6Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,7Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrokh Yousefzadeh Chabok
- 1Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.,2Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
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14
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Caporali S, Amaro A, Levati L, Alvino E, Lacal PM, Mastroeni S, Ruffini F, Bonmassar L, Antonini Cappellini GC, Felli N, Carè A, Pfeffer U, D'Atri S. miR-126-3p down-regulation contributes to dabrafenib acquired resistance in melanoma by up-regulating ADAM9 and VEGF-A. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2019; 38:272. [PMID: 31227006 PMCID: PMC6588909 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-019-1238-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Development of resistance to inhibitors of BRAF (BRAFi) and MEK (MEKi) remains a great challenge for targeted therapy in patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma. Here, we explored the role of miRNAs in melanoma acquired resistance to BRAFi. Methods miRNA expression in two BRAF-mutant melanoma cell lines and their dabrafenib-resistant sublines was determined using Affymetrix GeneChip® miRNA 3.1 microarrays and/or qRT-PCR. The effects of miR-126-3p re-expression on proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation, dabrafenib sensitivity, invasiveness and VEGF-A secretion were evaluated in the dabrafenib-resistant sublines using MTT assays, flow cytometry, immunoblotting, invasion assays in Boyden chambers and ELISA. ADAM9, PIK3R2, MMP7 and CXCR4 expression in the sensitive and dabrafenib-resistant cells was determined by immunoblotting. Small RNA interference was performed to investigate the consequence of VEGFA or ADAM9 silencing on proliferation, invasiveness or dabrafenib sensitivity of the resistant sublines. Long-term proliferation assays were carried out in dabrafenib-sensitive cells to assess the effects of enforced miR-126-3p expression or ADAM9 silencing on resistance development. VEGF-A serum levels in melanoma patients treated with BRAFi or BRAFi+MEKi were evaluated at baseline (T0), after two months of treatment (T2) and at progression (TP) by ELISA. Results miR-126-3p was significantly down-regulated in the dabrafenib-resistant sublines as compared with their parental counterparts. miR-126-3p replacement in the drug-resistant cells inhibited proliferation, cell cycle progression, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and/or AKT, invasiveness, VEGF-A and ADAM9 expression, and increased dabrafenib sensitivity. VEGFA or ADAM9 silencing impaired proliferation and invasiveness of the drug-resistant sublines. ADAM9 knock-down in the resistant cells increased dabrafenib sensitivity, whereas miR-126-3p enforced expression or ADAM9 silencing in the drug-sensitive cells delayed the development of resistance. At T0 and T2, statistically significant differences were observed in VEGF-A serum levels between patients who responded to therapy and patients who did not. In responder patients, a significant increase of VEGF-A levels was observed at TP versus T2. Conclusions Strategies restoring miR-126-3p expression or targeting VEGF-A or ADAM9 could restrain growth and metastasis of dabrafenib-resistant melanomas and increase their drug sensitivity. Circulating VEGF-A is a promising biomarker for predicting patients’ response to BRAFi or BRAFi+MEKi and for monitoring the onset of resistance. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-019-1238-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Caporali
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Amaro
- Molecular Pathology, IRCCS-Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lauretta Levati
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167, Rome, Italy
| | - Ester Alvino
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Council of Research, Rome, Italy
| | - Pedro Miguel Lacal
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Federica Ruffini
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Bonmassar
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Nadia Felli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Carè
- Center of Gender Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ulrich Pfeffer
- Molecular Pathology, IRCCS-Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefania D'Atri
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta 104, 00167, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Elsayed NM, Serya RA, Tolba MF, Ahmed M, Barakat K, Abou El Ella DA, Abouzid KA. Design, synthesis, biological evaluation and dynamics simulation of indazole derivatives with antiangiogenic and antiproliferative anticancer activity. Bioorg Chem 2019; 82:340-359. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.10.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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16
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Etoposide-Bevacizumab a new strategy against human melanoma cells expressing stem-like traits. Oncotarget 2018; 7:51138-51149. [PMID: 27303923 PMCID: PMC5239464 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumors contain a sub-population of self-renewing and expanding cells known as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Putative CSCs were isolated from human melanoma cells of a different aggressiveness, Hs294T and A375 cell lines, grown under hypoxia using “sphere-forming assay”, CD133 surface expression and migration ability. We found that a cell sub-population enriched for P1 sphere-initiating ability and CD133 expression also express larger amount of VEGF-R2. Etoposide does not influence phenotype of this sub-population of melanoma cells, while a combined treatment with Etoposide and Bevacizumab significantly abolished P1 sphere-forming ability, an effect associated with apoptosis of this subset of cells. Hypoxic melanoma cells sorted for VEGF-R2/CD133 positivity also undergo apoptosis when exposed to Etoposide and Bevacizumab. When Etoposide and Bevacizumab-treated hypoxic cells were injected intravenously into immunodeficient mice revealed a reduced capacity to induce lung colonies, which also appear with a longer latency period. Hence, our study indicates that a combined exposure to Etoposide and Bevacizumab targets melanoma cells endowed with stem-like properties and might be considered a novel approach to treat cancer-initiating cells.
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17
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Peng H, Zhang Q, Li J, Zhang N, Hua Y, Xu L, Deng Y, Lai J, Peng Z, Peng B, Chen M, Peng S, Kuang M. Apatinib inhibits VEGF signaling and promotes apoptosis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 7:17220-9. [PMID: 26967384 PMCID: PMC4941382 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells co-express vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) that interact each other to support a self-sustainable cell growth. So far, this autocrine VEGF loop is not reported in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Apatinib is a highly selective VEGFR2 inhibitor, but its effects on ICC have not been investigated. In this study, we reported that VEGF and phosphorylated VEGFR2 were expressed at a significantly high level in ICC patient tissues (P<0.05). In vitro, treating ICC cell lines RBE and SSP25 with recombinant human VEGF (rhVEGF) induced phosphorylation of VEGFR1 (pVEGFR1) and VEGFR2 (pVEGFR2); however, only the VEGFR2 played a role in the anti-apoptotic cell growth through activating a PI3K-AKT-mTOR anti-apoptotic signaling pathway which generated more VEGF to enter this autocrine loop. Apatinib inhibited the anti-apoptosis induced by VEGF signaling, and promoted cell death in vitro. In addition, Apatinib treatment delayed xenograft tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, the autocrine VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling promotes ICC cell survival. Apatinib inhibits anti-apoptotic cell growth through suppressing the autocrine VEGF signaling, supporting a potential role for using Apatinib in the treatment of ICC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Peng
- Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiuyang Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jiali Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunpeng Hua
- Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lixia Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yubin Deng
- Laboratory of Research Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaming Lai
- Department of Pancreato-Billary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenwei Peng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Baogang Peng
- Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Minhu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sui Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ming Kuang
- Department of Liver Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Department of Medical Ultrasound, Division of Interventional Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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18
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Lin Y, Zhai E, Liao B, Xu L, Zhang X, Peng S, He Y, Cai S, Zeng Z, Chen M. Autocrine VEGF signaling promotes cell proliferation through a PLC-dependent pathway and modulates Apatinib treatment efficacy in gastric cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:11990-12002. [PMID: 28061477 PMCID: PMC5355320 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor cells produce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which interact with the membrane or cytoplasmic VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) to promote cell growth in an angiogenesis-independent fashion. Apatinib, a highly selective VEGFR2 inhibitor, is the only effective drug for patients with terminal gastric cancer (GC) who have no other chemotherapeutic options. However, its treatment efficacy is still controversy and the mechanism behind remains undetermined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of autocrine VEGF signaling in the growth of gastric cancer cells and the efficacy of Apatinib treatment. METHODS The expression of phosphor VEGFR2 in gastric cancer cell lines was determined by real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. The gastric cancer cells were administrated with or without recombination human VEGF (rhVEGF), VEGFR2 neutralizing antibody, U73122, SU1498, and Apatinib. The nude mice were used for xenograft tumor model. RESULTS we found that autocrine VEGF induced high VEGFR2-expression, promoted phosphorylation of VEGFR2, and further enhanced internalization of pVEGFR2 in gastric cancer cells. The autocrine VEGF was self-sustained through increasing VEGF mRNA and protein expression. It exerted pro-proliferative effect through a PLC-ERK1/2 dependent pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated that in VEGFR2 overexpressing gastric cancer cells, Apatinib inhibited cell proliferation in vitro and delayed xenograft tumor growth in vivo. However, these effects were not observed in VEGFR2 low expressing gastric cancer cells. CONCLUSION These results suggested that autocrine VEGF signaling promotes gastric cancer cell proliferation and enhances Apatinib treatment outcome in VEGFR2 overexpression gastric cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. This study would enable better stratification of gastric cancer patients for clinical treatment decision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R.China
| | - Ertao Zhai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R.China
| | - Bing Liao
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R.China
| | - Lixia Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R.China
| | - Xinhua Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R.China
| | - Sui Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R.China
| | - Yulong He
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R.China
| | - Shirong Cai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R.China
| | - Zhirong Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R.China
| | - Minhu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R.China
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19
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Westphal D, Glitza Oliva IC, Niessner H. Molecular insights into melanoma brain metastases. Cancer 2017; 123:2163-2175. [PMID: 28543697 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Substantial proportions of patients with metastatic melanoma develop brain metastases during the course of their disease, often resulting in significant morbidity and death. Despite recent advances with BRAF/MEK and immune-checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of patients who have melanoma with extracerebral metastases, patients who have melanoma brain metastases still have poor overall survival, highlighting the need for further therapy options. A deeper understanding of the molecular pathways involved in the development of melanoma brain metastases is required to develop more brain-specific therapies. Here, the authors summarize the currently known preclinical data and describe steps involved in the development of melanoma brain metastases. Only by knowing the molecular background is it possible to design new therapeutic agents that can be used to improve the outcome of patients with melanoma brain metastases. Cancer 2017;123:2163-75. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Westphal
- Department of Dermatology, Carl Gustav Carus Medical Center, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Isabella C Glitza Oliva
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Heike Niessner
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Tübingen, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany
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20
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Da Silva L, Fonseca-Alves CE, Thompson JJ, Foster RA, Wood GA, Amorim RL, Coomber BL. Pilot assessment of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors and trafficking pathways in recurrent and metastatic canine subcutaneous mast cell tumours. Vet Med Sci 2017; 3:146-155. [PMID: 29067211 PMCID: PMC5645839 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Canine subcutaneous mast cell tumour (scMCT) shows less aggressive biological behaviour than cutaneous MCT. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is expressed by neoplastic cells in canine scMCT, but the relevance of this signalling pathway for disease pathobiology is not clear. The objective of this study was to quantify VEGF‐A, VEGFR2, pVEGFR2, the VEGF co‐receptor Neuropilin 1 (NRP‐1) and the E3 ubiquitin protein ligase c‐Cbl in canine scMCT, and to evaluate their association with disease outcome. Immunohistochemical staining for biomarkers was quantified from 14 cases of canine scMCT using manual and computer‐assisted methods. Kaplan–Meier curves were generated for disease‐free survival (DFS) and compared using Mantel–Cox log‐rank analysis. Cases with high levels of neoplastic cell VEGFR2, pVEGFR2 or c‐CBL immunoreactivity had significantly reduced DFS. All cases displayed neoplastic cells positive for VEGF‐A, which was significantly associated with pVEGFR2 immunoreactivity. There were also significant positive correlations between VEGFR2 and pVEGFR2, and between c‐CBL and pVEGFR2 levels. This pilot study demonstrates the potential utility of these markers in a subset of scMCT in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Da Silva
- Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
| | - Carlos E Fonseca-Alves
- Department of Veterinary ClinicUniversity of São Paulo State -UNESPBotucatuSão PauloBrazil
| | - Jennifer J Thompson
- Department of PathobiologyOntario Veterinary CollegeUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
| | - Robert A Foster
- Department of PathobiologyOntario Veterinary CollegeUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
| | - Geoffrey A Wood
- Department of PathobiologyOntario Veterinary CollegeUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
| | - Renee L Amorim
- Department of Veterinary ClinicUniversity of São Paulo State -UNESPBotucatuSão PauloBrazil
| | - Brenda L Coomber
- Department of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntarioCanada
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21
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Gastrointestinal cancer cells treatment with bevacizumab activates a VEGF autoregulatory mechanism involving telomerase catalytic subunit hTERT via PI3K-AKT, HIF-1α and VEGF receptors. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179202. [PMID: 28594907 PMCID: PMC5466359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Targeting angiogenesis has been considered a promising treatment of choice for a large number of malignancies, including gastrointestinal cancers. Bevacizumab is an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) being used for this purpose. However, treatment efficacy is largely questioned. Telomerase activity, responsible for cancer cell immortality, is detected in 85–95% of human cancers and is considered a potential regulator of VEGF. The aim of our study was to investigate the interrelationship between VEGF and hTERT in gastrointestinal cancers and to explore cell response to a combined inhibition of telomerase and VEGF. Methods AGS (gastric cancer), Caco-2 (colorectal cancer) and HepG2/C3A (hepatocellular carcinoma), were treated with telomerase inhibitors BIBR-1232 (10μM) and costunolide (10μM), with bevacizumab (Avastin® at 5 ng/ml or 100μg/ml) or with a combination of both types of inhibitors. VEGF and hTERT mRNA levels, and telomerase activity were detected by RT-PCR. VEGF levels were quantified by ELISA. Telomerase was knocked down using hTERT siRNA and hTERT was overexpressed in the telomerase negative cell line, Saos-2 (osteosarcoma), using constructs expressing either wild type hTERT (hTERT-WT) or dominant negative hTERT (hTERT-DN). Tube formation by HUVECs was assessed using ECMatrix™ (EMD Millipore). Results Our results showed that telomerase regulates VEGF expression and secretion through its catalytic subunit hTERT in AGS, Caco2, and HepG2/C3A, independent of its catalytic activity. Interestingly, VEGF inhibition with bevacizumab (100μg/ml) increased hTERT expression 42.3% in AGS, 94.1% in Caco2, and 52.5% in HepG2/C3A, and increased telomerase activity 30-fold in AGS, 10.3-fold in Caco2 and 8-fold in HepG2/C3A. A further investigation showed that VEGF upregulates hTERT expression in a mechanism that implicates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and HIF-1α. Moreover, bevacizumab treatment increased VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 expression in cancer cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through hTERT. Thus, the combination of bevacizumab with telomerase inhibitors decreased VEGF expression and secretion by cancer cells, inhibited VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 upregulation, and reduced tube formation by HUVECs. Conclusions Taken together, our results suggest that bevacizumab treatment activates a VEGF autoregulatory mechanism involving hTERT and VEGF receptors and that an inhibition of this pathway could improve tumor cell response to anti-VEGF treatment.
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22
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Simon T, Gagliano T, Giamas G. Direct Effects of Anti-Angiogenic Therapies on Tumor Cells: VEGF Signaling. Trends Mol Med 2017; 23:282-292. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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23
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Jarad M, Kuczynski EA, Morrison J, Viloria-Petit AM, Coomber BL. Release of endothelial cell associated VEGFR2 during TGF-β modulated angiogenesis in vitro. BMC Cell Biol 2017; 18:10. [PMID: 28114883 PMCID: PMC5260130 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-017-0127-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Sprouting angiogenesis requires vascular endothelial proliferation, migration and morphogenesis. The process is regulated by soluble factors, principally vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and via bidirectional signaling through the Jagged/Notch system, leading to assignment of tip cell and stalk cell identity. The cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) can either stimulate or inhibit angiogenesis via its differential surface receptor signaling. Here we evaluate changes in expression of angiogenic signaling receptors when bovine aortic endothelial cells were exposed to TGF-β1 under low serum conditions. Results TGF-β1 induced a dose dependent inhibition of tip cell assignment and subsequent angiogenesis on Matrigel, maximal at 5.0 ng/ml. This occurred via ALK5-dependent pathways and was accompanied by significant upregulation of the TGF-β co-receptor endoglin, and SMAD2 phosphorylation, but no alteration in Smad1/5 activation. TGF-β1 also induced ALK5-dependent downregulation of Notch1 but not of its ligand delta-like ligand 4. Cell associated VEGFR2 (but not VEGFR1) was significantly downregulated and accompanied by reciprocal upregulation of VEGFR2 in conditioned medium. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that this soluble VEGFR2 was not generated by a selective shift in mRNA isoform transcription. This VEGFR2 in conditioned medium was full-length protein and was associated with increased soluble HSP-90, consistent with a possible shedding of microvesicles/exosomes. Conclusions Taken together, our results suggest that endothelial cells exposed to TGF-β1 lose both tip and stalk cell identity, possibly mediated by loss of VEGFR2 signaling. The role of these events in physiological and pathological angiogenesis requires further investigation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12860-017-0127-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Jarad
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, OVC Room 3645, Guelph, N1G 2W1, ON, Canada
| | - E A Kuczynski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, OVC Room 3645, Guelph, N1G 2W1, ON, Canada
| | - J Morrison
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, OVC Room 3645, Guelph, N1G 2W1, ON, Canada
| | - A M Viloria-Petit
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, OVC Room 3645, Guelph, N1G 2W1, ON, Canada
| | - B L Coomber
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, OVC Room 3645, Guelph, N1G 2W1, ON, Canada.
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24
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Bianchini F, Peppicelli S, Fabbrizzi P, Biagioni A, Mazzanti B, Menchi G, Calorini L, Pupi A, Trabocchi A. Triazole RGD antagonist reverts TGFβ1-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in endothelial precursor cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2016; 424:99-110. [PMID: 27761847 PMCID: PMC5219041 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-016-2847-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is the dramatic consequence of a dysregulated reparative process in which activated fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) and Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGFβ1) play a central role. When exposed to TGFβ1, fibroblast and epithelial cells differentiate in myofibroblasts; in addition, endothelial cells may undergo endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) and actively participate to the progression of fibrosis. Recently, the role of αv integrins, which recognize the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) tripeptide, in the release and signal transduction activation of TGFβ1 became evident. In this study, we present a class of triazole-derived RGD antagonists that interact with αvβ3 integrin. Above different compounds, the RGD-2 specifically interferes with integrin-dependent TGFβ1 EndoMT in Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells (ECPCs) derived from circulating Endothelial Precursor Cells (ECPCs). The RGD-2 decreases the amount of membrane-associated TGFβ1, and reduces both ALK5/TGFβ1 type I receptor expression and Smad2 phosphorylation in ECPCs. We found that RGD-2 antagonist reverts EndoMT, reducing α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin expression in differentiated ECPCs. Our results outline the critical role of integrin in fibrosis progression and account for the opportunity of using integrins as target for anti-fibrotic therapeutic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bianchini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Science "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
| | - Silvia Peppicelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Science "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Alessio Biagioni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Science "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Gloria Menchi
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center for Preclinical Development of Molecular Imaging (CISPIM), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lido Calorini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Science "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alberto Pupi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Science "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center for Preclinical Development of Molecular Imaging (CISPIM), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Trabocchi
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center for Preclinical Development of Molecular Imaging (CISPIM), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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25
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Ashshi AM, El-Shemi AG, Dmitriev IP, Kashentseva EA, Curiel DT. Combinatorial strategies based on CRAd-IL24 and CRAd-ING4 virotherapy with anti-angiogenesis treatment for ovarian cancer. J Ovarian Res 2016; 9:38. [PMID: 27349517 PMCID: PMC4924320 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-016-0248-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A major hurdle incurrent to the human clinical application of conditionally replicative adenovirus (CRAd)-based virotherapy agents is their limited therapeutic efficacy. In this study we evaluated whether arming our previously reported Ad5/3Δ24 CRAd vector containing a 24-base pair deletion in the E1A conserved region 2, which allows selective replication within Rb-p16-deficient tumor cells, to express therapeutic genes could improve oncolytic virus potency in ovarian cancer cells. We choose to assess the therapeutic benefits achieved by virus-mediated expression of interleukin 24 (IL-24), a cytokine-like protein of the IL-10 family, and the inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4) tumor suppressor protein. Results The generated CRAd-IL24 and CRAd-ING4 vectors were tested in ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro to compare their replication, yield, and cytotoxic effects with control CRAd Ad5/3∆24 lacking the therapeutic gene. These studies showed that CRAd-IL24 infection resulted in significantly increased yield of infectious particles, which translated to a marked enhancement of virus-induced cytotoxic effects as compared to CRAd-ING4 and non-armed CRAd. Testing CRAd-IL24 and CRAd-ING4 vectors combined together did not revealed synergistic effects exceeding oncolytic potency of single CRAD-IL24 vector. Both CRAds were also tested along with anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody Avastin and showed no significant augmentation of viral cytolysis by anti-angiogenesis treatment in vitro. Conclusions Our studies validated that arming with these key immunomodulatory genes was not deleterious to virus-mediated oncolysis. These findings thus, warrant further preclinical studies of CRAd-IL24 tumoricidal efficacy in murine ovarian cancer models to establish its potential utility for the virotherapy of primary and advanced neoplastic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Mohammad Ashshi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, PO Box 7607, Holy Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel Galal El-Shemi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, PO Box 7607, Holy Makkah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Igor P Dmitriev
- The Division of Cancer Biology and Biologic Therapeutic Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8224, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Elena A Kashentseva
- The Division of Cancer Biology and Biologic Therapeutic Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8224, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - David T Curiel
- The Division of Cancer Biology and Biologic Therapeutic Center, Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Washington University in Saint Louis, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8224, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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26
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de Aguiar RB, Parise CB, Souza CRT, Braggion C, Quintilio W, Moro AM, Navarro Marques FL, Buchpiguel CA, Chammas R, de Moraes JZ. Blocking FGF2 with a new specific monoclonal antibody impairs angiogenesis and experimental metastatic melanoma, suggesting a potential role in adjuvant settings. Cancer Lett 2015; 371:151-60. [PMID: 26655277 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2015.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Compelling evidence suggests that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), overexpressed in melanomas, plays an important role in tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic use of a new anti-FGF2 monoclonal antibody (mAb), 3F12E7, using for that the B16-F10 melanoma model. The FGF2 neutralizing effect of this antibody was certified by in vitro assays, which allowed the further track of its possible in vivo application. 3F12E7 mAb could be retained in B16-F10 tumors, as shown by antibody low-pH elution and nuclear medicine studies, and also led to reduction in number and size of metastatic foci in lungs, when treatment starts one day after intravenous injection of B16-F10 cells. Such data were accompanied by decreased CD34(+) tumor vascular density and impaired subcutaneous tumor outgrowth. Treatments starting one week after melanoma cell intravenous injection did not reduce tumor burden, remaining the therapeutic effectiveness restricted to early-adopted regimens. Altogether, the presented anti-FGF2 3F12E7 mAb stands as a promising agent to treat metastatic melanoma tumors in adjuvant settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Barbosa de Aguiar
- Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Dr Arnaldo 251, 01246-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Departamento de Biofísica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 862, 04023-062 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina Bellini Parise
- Departamento de Biofísica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 862, 04023-062 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carolina Rosal Teixeira Souza
- Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Dr Arnaldo 251, 01246-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Braggion
- Departamento de Biofísica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 862, 04023-062 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Wagner Quintilio
- Laboratório de Biofármacos em Células Animais, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brasil 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Moro
- Laboratório de Biofármacos em Células Animais, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Vital Brasil 1500, 05503-900 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabio Luiz Navarro Marques
- Centro de Medicina Nuclear, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Trav. Rua Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos s/n, 05403-010 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto Buchpiguel
- Centro de Medicina Nuclear, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Trav. Rua Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos s/n, 05403-010 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Roger Chammas
- Departamento de Radiologia e Oncologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Dr Arnaldo 251, 01246-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Jane Zveiter de Moraes
- Departamento de Biofísica, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Botucatu 862, 04023-062 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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27
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Silva IP, Salhi A, Giles KM, Vogelsang M, Han SW, Ismaili N, Lui KP, Robinson EM, Wilson MA, Shapiro RL, Pavlick A, Zhong J, Kirchhoff T, Osman I. Identification of a Novel Pathogenic Germline KDR Variant in Melanoma. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 22:2377-85. [PMID: 26631613 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-1811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The application of pan-cancer next-generation sequencing panels in the clinical setting has facilitated the identification of low frequency somatic mutations and the testing of new therapies in solid tumors using the "basket trial" scheme. However, little consideration has been given to the relevance of nonsynonymous germline variants, which are likely to be uncovered in tumors and germline and which may be relevant to prognostication and prediction of treatment response. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We analyzed matched tumor and normal DNA from 34 melanoma patients using an Ion Torrent cancer-associated gene panel. We elected to study the germline variant Q472H in the kinase insert domain receptor (KDR), which was identified in 35% of melanoma patients in both a pilot and an independent 1,223 patient cohort. Using patient-derived melanoma cell lines and human samples, we assessed proliferation, invasion, VEGF levels, and angiogenesis by analyzing tumor microvessel density (MVD) using anti-CD34 antibody. RESULTS Serum VEGF levels and tumor MVD were significantly higher in Q472H versus KDR wild-type (WD) patients. Primary cultures derived from melanomas harboring the KDR variant were more proliferative and invasive than KDR wild type. Finally, using a VEGFR2 antibody, we showed that KDR Q472H cells were sensitive to targeted inhibition of VEGFR2, an effect that was not observed in KDR WT cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the integration of germline analysis into personalized treatment decision-making and suggest that patients with germline KDR variant might benefit from antiangiogenesis treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 22(10); 2377-85. ©2015 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines P Silva
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York, New York. The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Amel Salhi
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York, New York. The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Keith M Giles
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York, New York. The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Matjaz Vogelsang
- The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York. Departments of Population Health and Environmental Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Sung W Han
- The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York. NYU Center for Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, New York, New York
| | | | - Kevin P Lui
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York, New York. The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Eric M Robinson
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York, New York. The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Melissa A Wilson
- The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York. Department of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Richard L Shapiro
- The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York. Department of Surgery, New York, New York
| | - Anna Pavlick
- The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York. Department of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Judy Zhong
- The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York. NYU Center for Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, New York, New York
| | - Tomas Kirchhoff
- The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York. Departments of Population Health and Environmental Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Iman Osman
- The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York, New York. The Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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28
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Devery AM, Wadekar R, Bokobza SM, Weber AM, Jiang Y, Ryan AJ. Vascular endothelial growth factor directly stimulates tumour cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer. Int J Oncol 2015; 47:849-56. [PMID: 26179332 PMCID: PMC4532222 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2015.3082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key stimulator of physiological and pathological angiogenesis. VEGF signals primarily through VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), a receptor tyrosine kinase whose expression is found predominantly on endothelial cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of VEGFR2 expression in NSCLC cells. NSCLC cells and tissue sections were stained for VEGFR2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Immunoblotting and ELISA were used to determine the activation and inhibition of VEGFR2 and its downstream signalling pathways. Five-day proliferation assays were carried out in the presence or absence of VEGF. IHC analysis of NSCLC demonstrated tumour cell VEGFR2 expression in 20% of samples. Immunoblot analysis showed expression of VEGFR2 protein in 3/8 NSCLC cell lines that correlated with VEGFR2 mRNA expression levels. VEGF-dependent VEGFR2 activation was apparent in NSCLC cells, and was associated with increased tumor cell proliferation. Cediranib treatment or siRNA against VEGFR2 inhibited VEGF-dependent increases in cell proliferation. Inhibition of VEGFR2 tyrosine kinase activity using cediranib was more effective than inhibition of AKT (MK2206) or MEK (AZD6244) for overcoming VEGFR2-driven cell proliferation. VEGF treatment did not affect cell survival following treatment with radiation, cisplatin, docetaxel or gemcitabine. Our data suggest that a subset of NSCLC tumour cells express functional VEGFR2 which can act to promote VEGF-dependent tumour cell growth. In this tumour subset, therapies targeting VEGFR2 signalling, such as cediranib, have the potential to inhibit both tumour cell proliferation and angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife M Devery
- CRUK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Rekha Wadekar
- CRUK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Sivan M Bokobza
- CRUK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Anika M Weber
- CRUK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Yanyan Jiang
- CRUK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Anderson J Ryan
- CRUK and MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
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29
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Ciliberto D, Staropoli N, Caglioti F, Gualtieri S, Fiorillo L, Chiellino S, De Angelis AM, Mendicino F, Botta C, Caraglia M, Tassone P, Tagliaferri P. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials on the role of targeted therapy in the management of advanced gastric cancer: Evidence does not translate? Cancer Biol Ther 2015; 16:1148-59. [PMID: 26061272 PMCID: PMC4623405 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2015.1056415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
It is still uncertain if targeted therapy-based regimens in advanced gastric cancer actually produce survival benefit. To shed light on this important question, we performed a systematic review and meta-analyses on each relevant targeted-pathway. By searching literature databases and proceedings of major cancer meetings in the time-frame 2005-2014, 22 randomized clinical trials exploring targeted therapy for a total of 7022 advanced gastric cancer patients were selected and included in the final analysis. Benefit was demonstrated for antiangiogenic agents in terms of overall survival (HR 0.759; 95%CI 0.655-0.880; p < 0.001). Conversely no benefit was found for EGFR pathway (HR 1.077; 95%CI 0.847-1.370; p = 0.543). Meta-analysis of HER-2 pathway confirmed improvement in terms of survival outcome, already known for this class of drugs (HR 0.823; 95%CI 0.722-0.939; p = 0.004). Pooled analysis demonstrated a significant survival benefit (OS: HR 0.823; PFS: HR 0.762) with acceptable tolerability profile for targeted-based therapies as compared to conventional treatments. This finding conflicts with the outcome of most individual studies, probably due to poor trial design or patients selection. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate a significant survival benefit for targeted therapy in its whole, which can be ascribed to anti-angiogenic and anti-HER2 agents.
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Key Words
- ADME, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion
- Ab, monoclonal antibody
- BSC, best supportive care
- CHT, chemotherapy
- EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor
- GC, gastric cancer
- HER2, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2
- HER3, human epidermal growth factor receptor 3
- MET, mesenchymal epithelial transition factor
- NGS, next generation sequencing
- NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer
- OR, odds-ratio
- OS, overall survival
- PARP, poly ADP ribose polymerase
- PFS, progression free survival
- PI3K, phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases
- PRISMA, preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- RAF, rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma
- RAS, rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog
- RCTs, randomized clinical trials
- RR, response rate
- TKI, tyrosine kinase inhibitor
- VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor
- VEGFR: VEGF receptor
- aGC, advanced gastric cancer
- angiogenesis
- gastric cancer
- mTOR, mammalian target of rapamycin
- mTORC, mTOR complex
- meta-analysis
- randomized clinical trials
- systemic chemotherapy
- targeted pathways
- targeted therapy
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Ciliberto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Græcia University; Campus Salvatore Venuta; Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Staropoli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Græcia University; Campus Salvatore Venuta; Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Caglioti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Græcia University; Campus Salvatore Venuta; Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Simona Gualtieri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Græcia University; Campus Salvatore Venuta; Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Lucia Fiorillo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Græcia University; Campus Salvatore Venuta; Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Silvia Chiellino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Græcia University; Campus Salvatore Venuta; Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonina Maria De Angelis
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Græcia University; Campus Salvatore Venuta; Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Mendicino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Græcia University; Campus Salvatore Venuta; Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Cirino Botta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Græcia University; Campus Salvatore Venuta; Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Michele Caraglia
- Department of Biochemistry; Biophysics and General Pathology; Second University of Naples; Naples, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine; Center for Biotechnology; College of Science and Technology; Temple University; Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Pierfrancesco Tassone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Græcia University; Campus Salvatore Venuta; Catanzaro, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine; Center for Biotechnology; College of Science and Technology; Temple University; Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Pierosandro Tagliaferri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Magna Græcia University; Campus Salvatore Venuta; Catanzaro, Italy
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30
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A novel engineered VEGF blocker with an excellent pharmacokinetic profile and robust anti-tumor activity. BMC Cancer 2015; 15:170. [PMID: 25881012 PMCID: PMC4466810 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-015-1140-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relatively poor penetration and retention in tumor tissue has been documented for large molecule drugs including therapeutic antibodies and recombinant immunoglobulin constant region (Fc)-fusion proteins due to their large size, positive charge, and strong target binding affinity. Therefore, when designing a large molecular drug candidate, smaller size, neutral charge, and optimal affinity should be considered. METHODS We engineered a recombinant protein by molecular engineering the second domain of VEGFR1 and a few flanking residues fused with the Fc fragment of human IgG1, which we named HB-002.1. This recombinant protein was extensively characterized both in vitro and in vivo for its target-binding and target-blocking activities, pharmacokinetic profile, angiogenesis inhibition activity, and anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy. RESULTS HB-002.1 has a molecular weight of ~80 kDa, isoelectric point of ~6.7, and an optimal target binding affinity of <1 nM. The pharmacokinetic profile was excellent with a half-life of 5 days, maximal concentration of 20.27 μg/ml, and area under the curve of 81.46 μg·days/ml. When tested in a transgenic zebrafish embryonic angiogenesis model, dramatic inhibition in angiogenesis was exhibited by a markedly reduced number of subintestinal vessels. When tested for anti-tumor efficacy, HB-002.1 was confirmed in two xenograft tumor models (A549 and Colo-205) to have a robust tumor killing activity, showing a percentage of inhibition over 90% at the dose of 20 mg/kg. Most promisingly, HB-002.1 showed a superior therapeutic efficacy compared to bevacizumab in the A549 xenograft model (tumor inhibition: 84.7% for HB-002.1 versus 67.6% for bevacizumab, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS HB-002.1 is a strong angiogenesis inhibitor that has the potential to be a novel promising drug for angiogenesis-related diseases such as tumor neoplasms and age-related macular degeneration.
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31
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Russell S, Duquette M, Liu J, Drapkin R, Lawler J, Petrik J. Combined therapy with thrombospondin-1 type I repeats (3TSR) and chemotherapy induces regression and significantly improves survival in a preclinical model of advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer. FASEB J 2015; 29:576-88. [PMID: 25395453 PMCID: PMC4314231 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-261636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Most women are diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) at advanced stage, where therapies have limited effectiveness and the long-term survival rate is low. We evaluated the effects of combined antiangiogenic and chemotherapy treatments on advanced stage EOC. Treatment of EOC cells with a recombinant version of the thrombospondin-1 type I repeats (3TSR) induced more apoptotic cell death (36.5 ± 9.6%) in vitro compared to untreated controls (4.1 ± 1.4). In vivo, tumors were induced in an orthotopic, syngeneic mouse model of advanced stage EOC. Mice were treated with 3TSR (4 mg/kg per day) alone or in combination with chemotherapy drugs delivered with maximum tolerated dose or metronomic scheduling. Pretreatment with 3TSR induced tumor regression, normalized tumor vasculature, and improved uptake of chemotherapy drugs. Combination 3TSR and metronomic chemotherapy induced the greatest tumor regression (6.2-fold reduction in size compared to PBS-treated controls) and highest survival when treatment was initiated at advanced stage. 3TSR binding to its receptor, CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36), increased binding of CD36 and SHP-1, which significantly inhibited phosphorylation of the VEGF receptor. In this study, we describe a novel treatment approach and mechanism of action with 3TSR and chemotherapy that induces regression of advanced stage EOC and significantly improves survival.-Russell, S., Duquette, M., Liu, J., Drapkin, R., Lawler, J., Petrik, J. Combined therapy with thrombospondin-1 type I repeats (3TSR) and chemotherapy induces regression and significantly improves survival in a preclinical model of advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Russell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; and
| | | | - Joyce Liu
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ronny Drapkin
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jim Petrik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; and
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Wang T, Xiao M, Ge Y, Krepler C, Belser E, Lopez-Coral A, Xu X, Zhang G, Azuma R, Liu Q, Liu R, Li L, Amaravadi RK, Xu W, Karakousis G, Gangadhar TC, Schuchter LM, Lieu M, Khare S, Halloran MB, Herlyn M, Kaufman RE. BRAF Inhibition Stimulates Melanoma-Associated Macrophages to Drive Tumor Growth. Clin Cancer Res 2015; 21:1652-64. [PMID: 25617424 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-1554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the roles of melanoma-associated macrophages in melanoma resistance to BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN An in vitro macrophage and melanoma cell coculture system was used to investigate whether macrophages play a role in melanoma resistance to BRAFi. The effects of macrophages in tumor resistance were examined by proliferation assay, cell death assay, and Western blot analyses. Furthermore, two mouse preclinical models were used to validate whether targeting macrophages can increase the antitumor activity of BRAFi. Finally, the number of macrophages in melanoma tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS We demonstrate that in BRAF-mutant melanomas, BRAFi paradoxically activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in macrophages to produce VEGF, which reactivates the MAPK pathway and stimulates cell growth in melanoma cells. Blocking the MAPK pathway or VEGF signaling then reverses macrophage-mediated resistance. Targeting macrophages increases the antitumor activity of BRAFi in mouse and human tumor models. The presence of macrophages in melanomas predicts early relapse after therapy. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that macrophages play a critical role in melanoma resistance to BRAFi, suggesting that targeting macrophages will benefit patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Min Xiao
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yingbin Ge
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Clemens Krepler
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric Belser
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Alfonso Lopez-Coral
- Graduate Program, The Catholic University of America, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Gao Zhang
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rikka Azuma
- Undergraduate Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Qin Liu
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rui Liu
- Undergraduate Program, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ling Li
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ravi K Amaravadi
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Wei Xu
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Giorgos Karakousis
- Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tara C Gangadhar
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lynn M Schuchter
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Melissa Lieu
- Undergraduate Program, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sanika Khare
- Biotechnology School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Molly B Halloran
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Meenhard Herlyn
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Russel E Kaufman
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Stagg BC, Uehara H, Lambert N, Rai R, Gupta I, Radmall B, Bates T, Ambati BK. Morpholino-Mediated Isoform Modulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR2) Reduces Colon Cancer Xenograft Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2014; 6:2330-42. [PMID: 25534570 PMCID: PMC4276969 DOI: 10.3390/cancers6042330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2014] [Revised: 10/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays a key role in tumor growth. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a pro-angiogenic that is involved in tumor angiogenesis. When VEGF binds to membrane-bound vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (mVEGFR2), it promotes angiogenesis. Through alternative polyadenylation, VEGFR2 is also expressed in a soluble form (sVEGFR2). sVEGFR2 sequesters VEGF and is therefore anti-angiogenic. The aim of this study was to show that treatment with a previously developed and reported antisense morpholino oligomer that shifts expression from mVEGFR2 to sVEGFR2 would lead to reduced tumor vascularization and growth in a murine colon cancer xenograft model. Xenografts were generated by implanting human HCT-116 colon cancer cells into the flanks of NMRI nu/nu mice. Treatment with the therapeutic morpholino reduced both tumor growth and tumor vascularization. Because the HCT-116 cells used for the experiments did not express VEGFR2 and because the treatment morpholino targeted mouse rather than human VEGFR2, it is likely that treatment morpholino was acting on the mouse endothelial cells rather than directly on the tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C Stagg
- John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Hironori Uehara
- John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Nathan Lambert
- John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Ruju Rai
- John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Isha Gupta
- John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Bryce Radmall
- John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Taylor Bates
- John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
| | - Balamurali K Ambati
- John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 65 Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.
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Cancer subclonal genetic architecture as a key to personalized medicine. Neoplasia 2014; 15:1410-20. [PMID: 24403863 DOI: 10.1593/neo.131972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Revised: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The future of personalized oncological therapy will likely rely on evidence-based medicine to integrate all of the available evidence to delineate the most efficacious treatment option for the patient. To undertake evidence-based medicine through use of targeted therapy regimens, identification of the specific underlying causative mutation(s) driving growth and progression of a patient's tumor is imperative. Although molecular subtyping is important for planning and treatment, intraclonal genetic diversity has been recently highlighted as having significant implications for biopsy-based prognosis. Overall, delineation of the clonal architecture of a patient's cancer and how this will impact on the selection of the most efficacious therapy remain a topic of intense interest.
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Long-term efficiency of mesenchymal stromal cell-mediated CD-MSC/5FC therapy in human melanoma xenograft model. Gene Ther 2014; 21:874-87. [PMID: 25056607 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2014.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Revised: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) can be exploited as cellular delivery vehicles for the enzymes converting non-toxic prodrugs to toxic substances. Because of their inherent chemoresistance, they exert potent bystander and antitumor effect. Here we show that the human adipose tissue-derived MSC expressing fusion yeast cytosine deaminase::uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (CD-MSC) in combination with 5-fluorocytosine (5FC) mediated a long-term tumor-free survival in the 83.3% of tumor-bearing animals. CD-MSC/5FC treatment induced cytotoxicity against model human melanoma cells EGFP-A375. Only 4% of the therapeutic CD-MSC cells eliminated >98.5% of the tumor cells in vitro. Long-term tumor-free survival was confirmed in 15 out of the 18 animals. However, repeatedly used CD-MSC/5FC therapeutic regimen generated more aggressive and metastatic variant of the melanoma cells EGFP-A375/Rel3. These cells derived from the refractory xenotransplants exhibited increased resistance to the CD-MSC/5FC treatment, altered cell adhesion, migration, tumorigenic and metastatic properties. However, long-term curative effect was achieved by the augmentation of the CD-MSC/5FC regimen along with the inhibition of c-Met/hepatocyte growth factor signaling axis in this aggressive melanoma derivative. In summary, the CD-MSC/5FC regimen can be regarded as a very effective antitumor approach to achieve long-term tumor-free survival as demonstrated on a mouse model of aggressive human melanoma xenografts.
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Mesti T, Savarin P, Triba MN, Le Moyec L, Ocvirk J, Banissi C, Carpentier AF. Metabolic impact of anti-angiogenic agents on U87 glioma cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99198. [PMID: 24922514 PMCID: PMC4055646 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2013] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioma cells not only secrete high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) but also express VEGF receptors (VEGFR), supporting the existence of an autocrine loop. The direct impact on glioma cells metabolism of drugs targeting the VEGF pathway, such as Bevacizumab (Bev) or VEGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI), is poorly known. MATERIAL AND METHODS U87 cells were treated with Bev or SU1498, a selective VEGFR2 TKI. VEGFR expression was checked with FACS flow cytometry and Quantitative Real-Time PCR. VEGF secretion into the medium was assessed with an ELISA kit. Metabolomic studies on cells were performed using High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Spectroscopy (HR-MAS). RESULTS U87 cells secreted VEGF and expressed low level of VEGFR2, but no detectable VEGFR1. Exposure to SU1498, but not Bev, significantly impacted cell proliferation and apoptosis. Metabolomic studies with HR MAS showed that Bev had no significant effect on cell metabolism, while SU1498 induced a marked increase in lipids and a decrease in glycerophosphocholine. Accordingly, accumulation of lipid droplets was seen in the cytoplasm of SU1498-treated U87 cells. CONCLUSION Although both drugs target the VEGF pathway, only SU1498 showed a clear impact on cell proliferation, cell morphology and metabolism. Bevacizumab is thus less likely to modify glioma cells phenotype due to a direct therapeutic pressure on the VEGF autocrine loop. In patients treated with VEGFR TKI, monitoring lipids with magnetic resonance spectroscopic (MRS) might be a valuable marker to assess drug cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Mesti
- Laboratoire de Recherches Biochirurgicales, Université Paris Descartes, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Savarin
- Chemistry, Structure and Properties of Biomaterials and Therapeutic Agents, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7244, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris 13 Sorbonne Paris Cité, Bobigny, France
| | - Mohamed N. Triba
- Chemistry, Structure and Properties of Biomaterials and Therapeutic Agents, Unité Mixte de Recherche 7244, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris 13 Sorbonne Paris Cité, Bobigny, France
| | - Laurence Le Moyec
- Unité de Biologie Intégrative des Adaptations à l'Exercice, Unité 902, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université d'Evry, Evry, France
| | - Janja Ocvirk
- Division of Medical Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Claire Banissi
- Laboratoire de Recherches Biochirurgicales, Université Paris Descartes, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France
| | - Antoine F. Carpentier
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche de Santé, Médecine et Biologie Humaine, Université Paris 13, Bobigny, France
- Hôpital Avicenne, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Bobigny, France
- * E-mail:
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Overcoming intratumor heterogeneity of polygenic cancer drug resistance with improved biomarker integration. Neoplasia 2013; 14:1278-89. [PMID: 23308059 DOI: 10.1593/neo.122096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Revised: 12/11/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Improvements in technology and resources are helping to advance our understanding of cancer-initiating events as well as factors involved with tumor progression, adaptation, and evasion of therapy. Tumors are well known to contain diverse cell populations and intratumor heterogeneity affords neoplasms with a diverse set of biologic characteristics that can be used to evolve and adapt. Intratumor heterogeneity has emerged as a major hindrance to improving cancer patient care. Polygenic cancer drug resistance necessitates reconsidering drug designs to include polypharmacology in pursuit of novel combinatorial agents having multitarget activity to overcome the diverse and compensatory signaling pathways in which cancer cells use to survive and evade therapy. Advances will require integration of different biomarkers such as genomics and imaging to provide for more adequate elucidation of the spatially varying location, type, and extent of diverse intratumor signaling molecules to provide for a rationale-based personalized cancer medicine strategy.
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Bellou S, Pentheroudakis G, Murphy C, Fotsis T. Anti-angiogenesis in cancer therapy: Hercules and hydra. Cancer Lett 2013; 338:219-28. [PMID: 23707856 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2013.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Solid tumours initiate angiogenesis to support their growth by producing growth factors such as VEGF. Depriving the tumour of the excessive vessels that support its growth became the target for developing anti-angiogenic agents that could provide, in combination with chemotherapy, improved anti-cancer treatment. Naturally most agents targeted VEGF and its signalling cascades. Almost 10 years have lapsed since the first anti-angiogenic drug approved by the FDA in 2004 (a humanized antibody inhibiting VEGF-A) and several other agents followed afterwards. There is sufficient accumulated experience to conclude that the clinical results of anti-angiogenic therapy are very modest resulting in moderate improvement in overall survival. Moreover, the clinical outcome is associated with the development of resistance to the anti-angiogenic agent and the increased risk of invasion and metastasis. The initial expectations are, as yet, unfilled, and the entire concept and strategy of the anti-angiogenic intervention in cancer requires re-evaluation. In the present Mini Review we discuss these issues emphasising the underlying molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bellou
- Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas, Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Department of Biomedical Research, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Finley SD, Popel AS. Effect of tumor microenvironment on tumor VEGF during anti-VEGF treatment: systems biology predictions. J Natl Cancer Inst 2013; 105:802-11. [PMID: 23670728 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djt093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to be a potent promoter of angiogenesis under both physiological and pathological conditions. Given its role in regulating tumor vascularization, VEGF has been targeted in various cancer treatments, and anti-VEGF therapy has been used clinically for treatment of several types of cancer. Systems biology approaches, particularly computational models, provide insight into the complexity of tumor angiogenesis. These models complement experimental studies and aid in the development of effective therapies targeting angiogenesis. METHODS We developed an experiment-based, molecular-detailed compartment model of VEGF kinetics and transport to investigate the distribution of two major VEGF isoforms (VEGF121 and VEGF165) in the body. The model is applied to predict the dynamics of tumor VEGF and, importantly, to gain insight into how tumor VEGF responds to an intravenous injection of an anti-VEGF agent. RESULTS The model predicts that free VEGF in the tumor interstitium is seven to 13 times higher than plasma VEGF and is predominantly in the form of VEGF121 (>70%), predictions that are validated by experimental data. The model also predicts that tumor VEGF can increase or decrease with anti-VEGF treatment depending on tumor microenvironment, pointing to the importance of personalized medicine. CONCLUSIONS This computational study suggests that the rate of VEGF secretion by tumor cells may serve as a biomarker to predict the patient population that is likely to respond to anti-VEGF treatment. Thus, the model predictions have important clinical relevance and may aid clinicians and clinical researchers seeking interpretation of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic observations and optimization of anti-VEGF therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey D Finley
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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