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Malekan M, Haass NK, Rokni GR, Gholizadeh N, Ebrahimzadeh MA, Kazeminejad A. VEGF/VEGFR axis and its signaling in melanoma: Current knowledge toward therapeutic targeting agents and future perspectives. Life Sci 2024; 345:122563. [PMID: 38508233 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122563] [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: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Melanoma is responsible for most skin cancer-associated deaths globally. The progression of melanoma is influenced by a number of pathogenic processes. Understanding the VEGF/VEGFR axis, which includes VEGF-A, PlGF, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, and VEGF-D and their receptors, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3, is of great importance in melanoma due to its crucial role in angiogenesis. This axis generates multifactorial and complex cellular signaling, engaging the MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, PKC, PLC-γ, and FAK signaling pathways. Melanoma cell growth and proliferation, migration and metastasis, survival, and acquired resistance to therapy are influenced by this axis. The VEGF/VEGFR axis was extensively examined for their potential as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers in melanoma patients and results showed that VEGF overexpression can be associated with unfavorable prognosis, higher level of tumor invasion and poor response to therapy. MicroRNAs linking to the VEGF/VEGFR axis were identified and, in this review, divided into two categories according to their functions, some of them promote melanoma angiogenesis (promotive group) and some restrict melanoma angiogenesis (protective group). In addition, the approach of treating melanoma by targeting the VEGF/VEGFR axis has garnered significant interest among researchers. These agents can be divided into two main groups: anti-VEGF and VEGFR inhibitors. These therapeutic options may be a prominent step along with the modern targeting and immune therapies for better coverage of pathological processes leading to melanoma progression and therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Malekan
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | | | - Ghasem Rahmatpour Rokni
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nasim Gholizadeh
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Armaghan Kazeminejad
- Department of Dermatology, Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences,Sari, Iran
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Li W, Zhang K, Wang W, Liu Y, Huang J, Zheng M, Li L, Zhang X, Xu M, Chen G, Wang L, Zhang S. Combined inhibition of HER2 and VEGFR synergistically improves therapeutic efficacy via PI3K-AKT pathway in advanced ovarian cancer. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:56. [PMID: 38403634 PMCID: PMC10895844 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-02981-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer (OC) is a prevalent malignancy in the female reproductive system, and developing effective targeted therapies for this disease remains challenging. The aim of this study was to use clinically-relevant OC models to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of RC48, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting HER2, either alone or in combination with the VEGFR inhibitor Cediranib Maleate (CM), for the treatment of advanced OC. METHODS OC tumor specimens and cell lines were analyzed to determine HER2 and VEGFR expression by Western blot, immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence. Moreover, the OC cell lines, cell-derived xenograft (CDX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were treated with RC48 and/or CM and then subjected to cell proliferation, viability, apoptosis, and tumor growth analyses to evaluate the feasibility of combination therapy for OC both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, RNA-Seq was performed to investigate the critical mechanism underlying the combination therapy of RC48 and CM. RESULTS Our results demonstrated that RC48 alone effectively targeted and inhibited the growth of HER2-positive OC tumors in both cell lines and PDX models. Furthermore, the combination of RC48 and CM synergistically induced tumor regression in human OC cell lines, as well as CDX and PDX models. Mechanistically, we observed that the combination treatment inhibited the growth of OC cells involved inducing apoptosis and suppressing cell motility. RNA-seq analysis provided further mechanistic insights and revealed that co-administration of RC48 and CM downregulated multiple cancer-related pathways, including the AKT/mTOR pathway, cell cycle, and cell proliferation. Notably, our data further confirmed that the PI3K-AKT pathway played a key role in the inhibition of proliferation triggered by combinational treatment of RC48 and CM in OC cells. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide a preclinical framework supporting the potential of dual targeting HER2 and VEGFR as a promising therapeutic strategy to improve outcomes in patients with OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisong Li
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases (Ministry of Education), Gannan Medical University, 1 Hexie Road, Rongjiang New District, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases (Ministry of Education), Gannan Medical University, 1 Hexie Road, Rongjiang New District, Ganzhou, 341000, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Wenjun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases (Ministry of Education), Gannan Medical University, 1 Hexie Road, Rongjiang New District, Ganzhou, 341000, China
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Ganzhou People's Hospital (The Affiliated Ganzhou Hospital of Nanchang University), Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Jianming Huang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases (Ministry of Education), Gannan Medical University, 1 Hexie Road, Rongjiang New District, Ganzhou, 341000, China
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Meihong Zheng
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases (Ministry of Education), Gannan Medical University, 1 Hexie Road, Rongjiang New District, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Ling Li
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases (Ministry of Education), Gannan Medical University, 1 Hexie Road, Rongjiang New District, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases (Ministry of Education), Gannan Medical University, 1 Hexie Road, Rongjiang New District, Ganzhou, 341000, China
| | - Minjuan Xu
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Ganzhou People's Hospital (The Affiliated Ganzhou Hospital of Nanchang University), Ganzhou, 341000, China.
| | - Guofang Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Liefeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases (Ministry of Education), Gannan Medical University, 1 Hexie Road, Rongjiang New District, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
| | - Shuyong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases (Ministry of Education), Gannan Medical University, 1 Hexie Road, Rongjiang New District, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China.
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Piotrowska A, Zaucha R, Król O, Żmijewski MA. Vitamin D Modulates the Response of Patient-Derived Metastatic Melanoma Cells to Anticancer Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098037. [PMID: 37175742 PMCID: PMC10178305 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is considered a lethal and treatment-resistant skin cancer with a high risk of recurrence, making it a major clinical challenge. Our earlier studies documented that 1,25(OH)2D3 and its low-calcaemic analogues potentiate the effectiveness of dacarbazine and cediranib, a pan-VEGFR inhibitor. In the current study, a set of patient-derived melanoma cultures was established and characterised as a preclinical model of human melanoma. Thus, patient-derived cells were preconditioned with 1,25(OH)2D3 and treated with cediranib or vemurafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, depending on the BRAF mutation status of the patients enrolled in the study. 1,25(OH)2D3 preconditioning exacerbated the inhibition of patient-derived melanoma cell growth and motility in comparison to monotherapy with cediranib. A significant decrease in mitochondrial respiration parameters, such as non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption, basal respiration and ATP-linked respiration, was observed. It seems that 1,25(OH)2D3 preconditioning enhanced cediranib efficacy via the modulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics. Additionally, 1,25(OH)2D3 also decreased the viability and mobility of the BRAF+ patient-derived cells treated with vemurafenib. Interestingly, regardless of the strict selection, cancer-derived fibroblasts (CAFs) became the major fraction of cultured cells over time, suggesting that melanoma growth is dependent on CAFs. In conclusion, the results of our study strongly emphasise that the active form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3, might be considered as an adjuvant agent in the treatment of malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Piotrowska
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Renata Zaucha
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-214 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Oliwia Król
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland
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Piotrowska A, Beserra FP, Wierzbicka JM, Nowak JI, Żmijewski MA. Vitamin D Enhances Anticancer Properties of Cediranib, a VEGFR Inhibitor, by Modulation of VEGFR2 Expression in Melanoma Cells. Front Oncol 2022; 11:763895. [PMID: 35004285 PMCID: PMC8740239 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.763895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Regardless of the recent groundbreaking introduction of personalized therapy, melanoma continues to be one of the most lethal skin malignancies. Still, a substantial proportion of patients either fail to respond to the therapy or will relapse over time, representing a challenging clinical problem. Recently, we have shown that vitamin D enhances the effectiveness of classical chemotherapeutics in the human malignant melanoma A375 cell line. In search for new combination strategies and adjuvant settings to improve melanoma patient outcomes in the current study, the effects of cediranib (AZD2171), an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor of VEGFR1-3, PDGFR, and c-KIT, used in combination either with 1,25(OH)2D3 or with low-calcemic analog calcipotriol were tested on four human malignant melanoma cell lines (A375, MNT-1, RPMI-7951, and SK-MEL-28). Melanoma cells were pretreated with vitamin D and subsequently exposed to cediranib. We observed a marked decrease in melanoma cell proliferation (A375 and SK-MEL-28), G2/M cell cycle arrest, and a significant decrease in melanoma cell mobility in experimental conditions used (A375). Surprisingly, concurrently with a very desirable decrease in melanoma cell proliferation and mobility, we noticed the upregulation of VEGFR2 at both protein and mRNA levels. No effect of vitamin D was observed in MNT-1 and RPMI-7951 melanoma cells. It seems that vitamin D derivatives enhance cediranib efficacy by modulation of VEGFR2 expression in melanoma cells expressing VEGFR2. In conclusion, our experiments demonstrated that vitamin D derivatives hold promise as novel adjuvant candidates to conquer melanoma, especially in patients suffering from vitamin D deficiency. However, further extensive research is indispensable to reliably assess their potential benefits for melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Piotrowska
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | | | - Joanna Irena Nowak
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
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Goldrick C, Palanga L, Tang B, Mealy G, Crown J, Horgan N, Kennedy S, Walsh N. Hindsight: Review of Preclinical Disease Models for the Development of New Treatments for Uveal Melanoma. J Cancer 2021; 12:4672-4685. [PMID: 34149931 PMCID: PMC8210544 DOI: 10.7150/jca.53954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular, histopathological, genomic and transcriptomic characteristics of uveal melanoma (UM) have identified four molecular subgroups with different clinical outcomes. Despite the improvements in UM classification and biological pathology, current treatments do not reduce the occurrence of metastasis. The development of effective adjuvant and metastatic therapies for UM has been slow and extremely limited. Preclinical models that closely resemble the molecular and genetic UM subgroups are essential for translating molecular findings into improved clinical treatment. In this review, we provide a retrospective view of the existing preclinical models used to study UM, and give an overview of their strengths and limitations. We review targeted therapy clinical trial data to evaluate the gap in the translation of preclinical findings to human studies. Reflecting on the current high attrition rates of clinical trials for UM, preclinical models that effectively recapitulate the human in vivo situation and/or accurately reflect the subtype classifications would enhance the translational impact of experimental data and have crucial implications for the advancement of personalised medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caoimhe Goldrick
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Letizia Palanga
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bobby Tang
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Research Foundation, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Grace Mealy
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Crown
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Medical Oncology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Noel Horgan
- Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Research Foundation, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Susan Kennedy
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.,Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Research Foundation, Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Naomi Walsh
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
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Xiong B, Nie Y, Yu Y, Wang S, Zuo X. Reduced miR-16 levels are associated with VEGF upregulation in high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. J Cancer 2021; 12:1967-1977. [PMID: 33753995 PMCID: PMC7974534 DOI: 10.7150/jca.52455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major angiogenic factor, was found in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and showed different expression statuses in different risk groups of MDS. We aimed to investigate the possible role of microRNA (miR)-15a and miR-16 on the regulation of VEGF expression and their effect on angiogenesis in lower- and higher-risk MDS. Methods: We studied peripheral blood and bone marrow samples of MDS patients or several leukaemia and MDS cell lines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemical staining, immunofluorescence and quantitative PCR for expression levels of VEGF, miR-15a and miR-16. MiRNA transfection and Luciferase reporter assays were conducted to investigate whether VEGF is a target of miR-16. Migration and tube formation assays were performed in cells exposed to medium from cells with overexpressed or knockdown miR-16. Results: It showed a significantly lower level of miR-16 in higher-risk MDS patients, while the VEGF levels were upregulated. Inverse correlation between VEGF and miR-16 were determined in cells lines including SKM-1, THP-1, and K562 cells. Overexpression of miR-16 in SKM-1 cells resulted in reduced VEGF secretion and cell protein levels. Direct binding of miR-16 to the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of VEGF was confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. The migration and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells decreased in the presence of medium from SKM-1 cells with overexpressed miR-16. Conclusion: These data suggest that miR-16 may play a role in angiogenesis in higher-risk MDS by targeting VEGF and therefore modulating MDS progression. MiR-16 might be a novel therapeutic target in higher-risk MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Xiong
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | | | - Yalan Yu
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shixuan Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuelan Zuo
- Department of Hematology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Galvano A, Guarini A, Iacono F, Castiglia M, Rizzo S, Tarantini L, Gori S, Novo G, Bazan V, Russo A. An update on the conquests and perspectives of cardio-oncology in the field of tumor angiogenesis-targeting TKI-based therapy. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2019; 18:485-496. [PMID: 31062991 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2019.1613371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The angiogenesis mechanism is considered a crucial point in neoplastic development. A growing number of multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) has been developed and approved for cancer treatment during the last few years. Cardiac side effects still remain an issue to manage nowadays. These drugs mechanisms and toxicities have already been discussed, hence the authors will report updates on these already available drugs. AREAS COVERED This manuscript provides an updated review on the new mechanisms involved in angiogenesis and cardiotoxicity that are TKI-related. Here is reported an overview of the already available and the most recent TKIs under investigation in the oncology field. A literature review has been performed, focusing on the most relevant phase II and phase III trial results. EXPERT OPINION TKIs represent a new and important resource in the oncology field. Since the use and the number of VEGFR-TKI is constantly increasing, a specific focus on cardiotoxicity development and management appears as justified. Oncologists must record cardiovascular risk factors at baseline in order to stratify patients' risk before undergoing TKI-VEGFRs. A collaboration between oncologists and cardio-oncologists is strongly recommended to earlier manage cardiovascular events (i.e. arterial hypertension) that could interfere with oncological results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Galvano
- a Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Aurelia Guarini
- a Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Federica Iacono
- a Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Marta Castiglia
- a Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Sergio Rizzo
- a Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Luigi Tarantini
- b Department of Cardiology , San Martino Hospital, ASL , Belluno , Italy
| | - Stefania Gori
- c Medical Oncology , Ospedale Sacro Cuore don Calabria , Verona , Italy
| | - Giuseppina Novo
- d Department of Cardiology , University Hospital Paolo Giaccone , Palermo , Italy
| | - Viviana Bazan
- e Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics - BIND , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
| | - Antonio Russo
- a Section of Medical Oncology, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences , University of Palermo , Palermo , Italy
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