血管内皮生长因子受体-1与肿瘤

血管内皮生长因子受体-1（VEGFR-1）通过其酪氨酸激酶活性调节肿瘤血管的新生从而影响肿瘤的发生、发展和转移。近年研究发现一些肿瘤细胞本身也可以表达VEGFR-1,抗VEGFR-1抗体不仅可以对表达VEGFR-1的肿瘤血管内皮发生直接的抗血管生成活性,也可以通过旁分泌的配体活化VEGFR-1阳性肿瘤细胞而直接影响肿瘤的发生、发展。     

血管内皮生长因子与肾细胞癌

血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)在肾细胞癌组织中高表达,主要受VHL基因和组织缺氧调控,可作为判断肾细胞癌患者肿瘤进展和预后的标志物.近年来将抗VEGF靶向药物用于肾细胞癌治疗,取得良好的临床疗效.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 mediates migration of human colorectal carcinoma cells by activation of Src family kinases

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the predominant pro-angiogenic cytokine in human malignancy, and its expression correlates with disease recurrence and poor outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. Recently, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) has been observed on tumours of epithelial origin, including those arising in the colon, but the molecular mechanisms governing potential VEGF-driven biologic functioning in these tumours are not well characterised. In this report, we investigated the role of Src family kinases (SFKs) in VEGF-mediated signalling in human colorectal carcinoma (CRC) cell lines. Vascular endothelial growth factor specifically activated SFKs in HT29 and KM12L4 CRC cell lines. Further, VEGF stimulation resulted in enhanced cellular migration, which was effectively blocked by pharmacologic inhibition of VEGFR-1 or Src kinase. Correspondingly, migration studies using siRNA clones with reduced Src expression confirmed the requirement for Src in VEGF-induced migration in these cells. Furthermore, VEGF treatment enhanced VEGFR-1/SFK complex formation and increased tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, p130 cas and paxillin. Finally, we demonstrate that VEGF-induced migration is not due, at least in part, to VEGF acting as a mitogen. These results suggest that VEGFR-1 promotes migration of tumour cells through a Src-dependent pathway linked to activation of focal adhesion components that regulate this process.     

Inhibition of endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis by a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 derived peptide

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) exists in two isoforms: a membrane-bound isoform (mVEGFR-1) and a soluble one (sVEGFR-1). mVEGFR-1 is involved in endothelial cell migration and survival supported by VEGF-A and placenta growth factor (PlGF), whereas the biologic function of sVEGFR-1 has not been fully elucidated. We previously reported that sVEGFR-1 induces endothelial cell motility and promotes endothelial cell adhesion. In this study, we tested a set of VEGFR-1-derived peptides for their ability to interfere with endothelial cell migration. Peptide B3 was found to specifically inhibit cell migration induced by sVEGFR-1 and by mVEGFR-1-specific ligands. Moreover, peptide B3 markedly hampered angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo and was found to interfere with VEGFR-1 homodimerisation. Altogether, these data demonstrate that peptide B3 might be a useful tool for the specific inhibition of VEGFR-1 function and might represent a basis for the development of new anti-angiogenic compounds.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 is a favorable prognostic factor in advanced gastric carcinoma

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-3 is a receptor for VEGF-C and D and is implicated in the development of lymphatic vessels and metastasis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of VEGFR-3 and its clinicopathological significance in primary gastric carcinoma (GC). Pathological and clinical findings from 109 GC cases were reviewed and VEGFR-3 expression was examined using immunohistochemistry. The clinicopathological implications of VEGFR-3 expression were analyzed statistically. VEGFR-3 expression was evaluated for intensity (0-3) and proportion (0-100%). A total score was obtained by multiplying the intensity by the proportion (0-300). A total score of 82 or more was considered positive for VEGFR-3. Of the 109 patients with GC, 19 (17.4%) were positive for VEGFR-3. VEGFR-3 expression was associated with Lauren classification (68.4% for intestinal type, 31.6% for diffuse type, p=0.058). It was more frequent in early gastric cancer (EGC), 28.0% in EGC, 16.2% in advanced gastric carcinoma (AGC), though this difference was not statistically significant. In 78 patients with AGC, VEGFR-3 expression was associated with good overall survival (p=0.052). In a multivariate analysis, the pTNM stage and VEGFR-3 were independent prognostic factors (OR=3.35, p=0.002 for pTNM stage; OR=0.23, p=0.044 for VEGFR-3). However, the expression of VEGFR-3 in EGC was not correlated with overall survival. In conclusion, the expression of VEGFR-3 was associated with the intestinal type (based on Lauren classification) and may be a favorable prognostic factor in AGC.     

miR-25 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth,migration and invasion by inhibiting RhoGDI1

MicroRNA (miRNA)-25 is a small non-coding RNA that has been implicated in the tumorigenesis of many cancers, but little is known on the role of miR-25 in HCC metastasis. We hereby found that miR-25 was significantly upregulated in clinical HCC tissues compared with normal liver tissues. We also revealed that miR-25 dramatically stimulates HCC cell growth and activates the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). MiR-25 is activated by the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway, and exerts its pro-metastatic function by directly inhibiting the Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor alpha (RhoGDI1). Downregulation of RhoGDI1 enhances expression of Snail, thereby promoting EMT. MiR-25 levels are positively correlated with β-catenin expression, whereas negatively correlated with the level of RhoGDI1 in HCC. Our findings provide new insights into the role of miR-25 in HCC metastasis, and implicate the potential application of miR-25 in HCC therapy.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor and programmed death-1 pathway inhibitors in renal cell carcinoma

Advanced renal cell carcinoma has historically carried a poor prognosis with very limited treatment options. However, in recent years, the treatment landscape has changed drastically, with many new therapeutic options and improved survival for patients. Novel treatments consist of molecularly targeted agents against the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway as well as the immune checkpoint inhibitors, which stimulate an antitumor immune response. Recent strategy has focused on the development of combination therapy with the use of VEGF inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors in the first-line setting. As more treatments are approved and the options for therapy expand further, there is a growing need for predictive biomarkers to personalize treatment choices for individual patients. Prospective clinical trials comparing the sequencing of treatments are needed to help determine the best therapeutic approach.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 signaling promotes mobilization of macrophage lineage cells from bone marrow and stimulates solid tumor growth

Vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors, including Flt-1 and Flk-1, are involved in angiogenesis under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Recently, Flt-1-expressing cells were reported to contribute to the intracranial growth of glioma cells. However, the role of Flt-1 signaling in solid tumor growth in s.c. tissue has not been elucidated. To investigate how Flt-1 signaling is involved in the proliferation of solid tumors, we implanted tumor cells into wild-type (Wt) and Flt-1 tyrosine kinase (TK)-deficient (Flt-1 TK(-/-)) mice. Growth of HSML and B16 but not Lewis lung carcinoma cell in s.c. tissue was significantly decreased in Flt-1 TK(-/-) mice. Angiogenesis in HSML and B16 tumors was remarkably reduced in Flt-1 TK(-/-) mice. Moreover, the infiltration of macrophage lineage cells into HSML and B16 tumors was clearly suppressed in Flt-1 TK(-/-) mice. Pericyte marker(+) cells were also reduced in Flt-1 TK(-/-) mice. However, in the border area of tumor, angiogenesis and the infiltration of macrophage lineage cell were basically similar between Wt and Flt-1 TK(-/-) mice. In bone marrow (BM) transplantation experiments, tumor angiogenesis, infiltration of macrophage lineage cells, and tumor growth were significantly suppressed in Wt/Flt-1 TK(-/-) mice implanted with Flt-1 TK(-/-) BM cells compared with those implanted with Wt BM cells. We conclude that Flt-1 signaling is involved in the function of BM-derived cell, such as the migration of macrophages into cancerous tissues, and significantly contributes to angiogenesis and tumor progression.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor promotes breast carcinoma invasion in an autocrine manner by regulating the chemokine receptor CXCR4

We report that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major angiogenic factor, is also arequisite autocrine factor for breast carcinoma invasion in vitro and that the VEGF receptor Neuropilin-1 but not Flt-1 is essential for this function. VEGF regulates expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4, and this VEGF target is needed for invasion but not for cell survival. CXCR4 mediates migration of breast carcinoma cells toward stromal-derived factor-1, and this migration is dependent on autocrine VEGF. Of interest, a CXCR4-inhibitory peptide that is currently in HIV clinical trials suppressed invasion. Our findings indicate that a VEGF autocrine pathway induces chemokine receptor expression in breast carcinoma cells, thus promoting their directed migration toward specific chemokines.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor-trap suppresses tumorigenicity of multiple pancreatic cancer cell lines.

PURPOSE: Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a potent angiogenic agent that binds to two high affinity VEGF receptors (VEGFRs), a process facilitated by the low affinity neuropilin receptors. Although VEGF-A is overexpressed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, it is not known whether the in vivo growth of multiple pancreatic cancer cells can be efficiently blocked by VEGF-A sequestration. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Four human pancreatic cancer cell lines were grown s.c. in athymic nude mice. One cell line also was used to generate an orthotopic model of metastatic pancreatic cancer. The consequences of VEGF-A sequestration on tumor growth and metastasis were examined by injecting the mice with a soluble VEGFR chimer (VEGF-Trap) that binds VEGF-A with high affinity. RESULTS: VEGF-Trap, initiated 2 days after tumor cell inoculation, suppressed the s.c. growth of four pancreatic cancer cell lines and markedly decreased tumor microvessel density. Analysis of RNA from tumors generated with T3M4 cells revealed that VEGF-Trap decreased the expression of VEGFR-1 and neuropilin-1 and -2. VEGF-Trap, initiated 3 weeks after tumor implantation, also attenuated intrapancreatic tumor growth and metastasis in an orthotopic model using PANC-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF-Trap is a potent suppressor of pancreatic tumor growth and metastasis and also may act to attenuate neuropilin-1 and -2 and VEGFR-1 expression. Therefore, VEGF-Trap may represent an exceedingly useful therapeutic modality for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.     

VEGFR-3在肿瘤淋巴管转移中的作用

VEGFR-3主要在成熟组织的淋巴管内皮细胞上表达,肿瘤分泌的VEGF-C、VEGF-D与之结合后可诱导淋巴管内皮细胞增殖和迁移,刺激淋巴管的新生,介导肿瘤淋巴道的转移.通过竞争性抑制VEGFR-3的信号转导可有效阻止肿瘤淋巴管的转移,最终达到提高治疗肿瘤的作用.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 contributes to resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor drugs in human cancer cells

PURPOSE: The resistance to selective EGFR inhibitors involves the activation of alternative signaling pathways, and Akt activation and VEGF induction have been described in EGFR inhibitor-resistant tumors. Combined inhibition of EGFR and other signaling proteins has become a successful therapeutic approach, stimulating the search for further determinants of resistance as basis for novel therapeutic strategies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We established human cancer cell lines with various degrees of EGFR expression and sensitivity to EGFR inhibitors and analyzed signal transducers under the control of EGFR-dependent and EGFR-independent pathways. RESULTS: Multitargeted inhibitor vandetanib (ZD6474) inhibited the growth and the phosphorylation of Akt and its effector p70S6 kinase in both wild-type and EGFR inhibitor-resistant human colon, prostate, and breast cancer cells. We found that the resistant cell lines exhibit, as common feature, VEGFR-1/Flt-1 overexpression, increased secretion of VEGF and placental growth factor, and augmented migration capabilities and that vandetanib is able to antagonize them. Accordingly, a new kinase assay revealed that in addition to VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-2, RET, and EGFR, vandetanib efficiently inhibits also VEGFR-1. The contribution of VEGFR-1 to the resistant phenotype was further supported by the demonstration that VEGFR-1 silencing in resistant cells restored sensitivity to anti-EGFR drugs and impaired migration capabilities, whereas exogenous VEGFR-1 overexpression in wild-type cells conferred resistance to these agents. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that VEGFR-1 contributes to anti-EGFR drug resistance in different human cancer cells. Moreover, vandetanib inhibits VEGFR-1 activation, cell proliferation, and migration, suggesting its potential utility in patients resistant to EGFR inhibitors.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor C promotes human gastric carcinoma lymph node metastasis in mice.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, one of several members of the VEGF family, is a relatively specific lymphangiogenic growth factor. VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3 (or Flt4) is a VEGF-C receptor with expression restricted to lymphatic endothelial cells. Since the mechanisms by which carcinoma cells metastasize to lymph nodes remain unclear, we constructed a VEGF-C transfectant (AZ-VEGF-C) from the AZ521 human gastric carcinoma cell line, which ordinarily shows little nodal metastatic potential and little VEGF-C expression. We orthotopically implanted transfected tumor cells into the stomachs of nude mice. The number of mice developing lymph node metastases and the number of lymph node metastases per mouse with nodal metastases were higher than with implants of mock-transfected control cells. Specifically, percentages of mice with lymph node metastases were 95.5% (21/22) for AZ-VEGF-C and 29.4% (5/17) for controls (P<0.01), while mean numbers of involved lymph nodes were 3.76 for AZ-VEGF-C and 1.00 for controls (P<0.01). No difference was found between AZ-VEGF-C and controls regarding cell growth and chemotactic responses in vitro, or in volumes of tumors arising from implanted cells. When we performed immunohistochemical staining for VEGFR-3 in these tumors to investigate lymphangiogenesis by VEGF-C, the number of vessels stained for VEGFR-3 in tumors and surrounding tissues was higher for AZ-VEGF-C than for controls. VEGFR-3-positive vessels occupied 14.9/1000 of microscopically examined areas for AZ-VEGF-C, but only 1.30/1000 for controls (P<0.001). Our results suggest that VEGF-C is a specific lymphangiogenic growth factor with an important role in lymph node metastasis.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor C promotes tumor lymphangiogenesis and intralymphatic tumor growth

Many solid tumors produce vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C), and its receptor, VEGFR-3, is expressed in tumor blood vessels. To study the role of VEGF-C in tumorigenesis, we implanted MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells overexpressing recombinant VEGF-C orthotopically into severe combined immunodeficient mice. VEGF-C increased tumor growth, but unlike VEGF, it had little effect on tumor angiogenesis. Instead, VEGF-C strongly promoted the growth of tumor-associated lymphatic vessels, which in the tumor periphery were commonly infiltrated with the tumor cells. These effects of VEGF-C were inhibited by a soluble VEGFR-3 fusion protein. Our data suggest that VEGF-C facilitates tumor metastasis via the lymphatic vessels and that tumor spread can be inhibited by blocking the interaction between VEGF-C and its receptor.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

The main aims of this study were to analyze the significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, and the effect of transcatheter arterial embolization treatment on the production of VEGF. Serum VEGF levels in hepatocellular carcinoma were significantly higher than in liver cirrhosis (P<0.01) but not significantly different from normal controls. Serum VEGF levels in cirrhosis decreased gradually as the Pugh-Child grade increased in severity. In hepatocellular carcinoma serum VEGF levels were not related to the tumor stage or serum levels of the tumor markers, cr-fetoprotein and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin. In 18 patients who underwent transcatheter arterial embolization, serum VEGF increased gradually and reached a peak at day 7, although serum interleukin-6 and hepatocyte growth factor levels peaked at days 1-3 and then decreased. VEGF levels were elevated significantly in patients who did not respond to transcatheter arterial embolization treatment as compared to those who responded to this treatment (P<0.05). Serum VEGF levels may be useful in the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and may indicate responsiveness to transcatheter arterial embolization.     

Activation of androgen receptor induces ID1 and promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell migration and invasion

Androgen receptor (AR) activity is associated with cancer development and progression. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), AR contributes to HCC incidence, but the role of AR in HCC cell migration and invasion remains largely unknown. In this study, we found that AR was expressed at high levels in a subgroup of HCC cell lines with high metastatic potential. Experiments using lentiviral overexpression or small hairpin RNA knockdown of AR as well as activation of AR by its ligand indicated that AR activation promoted HCC cell migration and invasion. We also found that AR activation enhanced the expression of a metastasis-promoting gene, ID1, which led to increased HCC cell migration and invasion. An AR antagonist was able to block this process, suggesting that AR activation in AR-positive HCC may be therapeutically inhibited as a potential intervention strategy.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor and angiogenesis in non-small-cell lung cancer

High microvessel density, an indirect measure of angiogenesis, has been shown to correlate with increased tumour size, lymph node involvement and poor prognosis in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumour cell vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) expression correlate with angiogenesis and a poor outcome in this disease. In a retrospective study VEGF and PD-ECGF expression and microvessel density were evaluated immunohistochemically in surgically resected specimens (T1-3, N0-2) from 223 patients with operable NSCLC using the VG1, P-GF.44C and JC70 monoclonal antibodies respectively. High VEGF immunoreactivity was seen in 104 (46.6%) and PD-ECGF in 72 (32.3%) cases and both were associated with high vascular grade tumours (P= 0.009 and P= 0.05 respectively). Linear regression analysis revealed a weak positive correlation between VEGF and PD-ECGF expression in cancer cells (r= 0.21; P = 0.002). Co-expression of VEGF and PD-ECGF was not associated with a higher microvessel density than VEGF or PD-ECGF only expressing tumours. Furthermore a proportion of high vascular grade tumours expressed neither growth factor. Univariate analysis revealed tumour size, nodal status, microvessel density and VEGF and PD-ECGF expression as significant prognostic factors. Tumour size (P < 0.02) and microvessel density (P < 0.04) remained significant on multivariate analysis. In conclusion, VEGF and PD-ECGF are important angiogenic growth factors and have prognostic significance in NSCLC. Furthermore the study underlines the prognostic significance of microvessel density in operable NSCLC.     

Telomerase activity of cultured human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines correlates with their potential for migration and invasion

BACKGROUND: Despite the recent clinical finding that high telomerase activity is an unfavorable prognostic marker for various human malignant tumors, there has been no experimental evidence supporting the link between telomerase and tumor aggressiveness. In the current investigation, the authors examined the relation between telomerase activity and potential for biologic aggressiveness in human pancreatic carcinoma cells. METHODS: Telomerase activity was measured in a poorly metastatic cell line HPC-3 and its highly metastatic variant HPC-3H4, as well as in many pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. Aggressive behavior of cancer cells was assessed by in vitro migration and invasion assay. RESULTS: Compared with parental HPC-3, HPC-3H4 displayed higher telomerase activity, which was associated with a scattered phenotype and enhanced migration activity. Furthermore, the authors found that relative telomerase levels correlated well with both motility (P = 0.0041) and invasion (P = 0.0114) in 13 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. There was, however, no significant association between telomerase activity and cell proliferation. When telomerase activity of KP-1N cells was inhibited by transfection with antisense oligonucleotides, their motility and invasion rates were significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that the magnitude of telomerase activation may reflect the potential for aggressive behavior within cancer cells. These findings support the clinical utility of telomerase activity as a prognostic indicator. Their results also suggest a therapeutic potential for telomerase inhibitors to prevent tumor invasion and possibly metastasis.