An in vitro model that can distinguish between effects on angiogenesis and on established vasculature: actions of TNP-470, marimastat and the tubulin-binding agent Ang-510

Role of the cytoskeleton in formation and maintenance of angiogenic sprouts

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing structures, and is a key step in tissue and organ development, wound healing and pathological events. Changes in cell shape orchestrated by the cytoskeleton are integral to accomplishing the various steps of angiogenesis, and an intact cytoskeleton is also critical for maintaining newly formed structures. This review focuses on how the 3 main cytoskeletal elements--microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments--regulate the formation and maintenance of angiogenic sprouts. Multiple classes of compounds target microtubules and microfilaments, revealing much about the role of actin and tubulin and their associated molecules in angiogenic sprout formation and maintenance. In contrast, intermediate filaments are much less studied, yet intriguing evidence suggests a vital, but unresolved, role in angiogenic sprouting. This review discusses evidence for regulatory molecules and pharmacological compounds that affect actin, microtubule and intermediate filament dynamics to alter various steps of angiogenesis, including endothelial sprout formation and maintenance.

2-methoxyestradiol analogue ENMD-1198 reduces breast cancer-induced osteolysis and tumor burden both in vitro and in vivo

It has been estimated that 70% of advanced breast cancer patients will face the complication of bone metastases. Three processes are pivotal during bone metastatic growth of breast cancer, namely, tumor cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and osteolysis. During tumor-induced osteolysis, a number of cytokines and growth factors are released from the degraded bone matrix. These factors stimulate further tumor growth, tumor angiogenesis, and tumor-induced osteolysis. New therapies should target all relevant processes to halt this powerful feedback loop. Here, we characterized the new 2-methoxyestradiol analogue ENMD-1198 and showed that it is cytotoxic to tumor cells. Moreover, ENMD-1198 showed both antiangiogenic and vascular disruptive properties and was capable of protecting the bone against tumor-induced osteolysis. We confirmed the in vitro data with a series of in vivo experiments showing the beneficial effects of ENMD-1198 and ENMD-1198-based combination treatments of metastatic breast cancer in bone both on tumor progression and on survival with long-term ENMD-1198 treatment. We confirmed the in vivo relevance of the ENMD-1198 protective effect on bone both with X-ray radiographs and microcomputed tomography. In addition, we combined ENMD-1198 treatment with low-dose metronomic cyclophosphamide and the bisphosphonate risedronic acid, leading to a mild increase in treatment efficacy.