Role of VEGFs/VEGFR-1 Signaling and its Inhibition in Modulating Tumor Invasion: Experimental Evidence in Different Metastatic Cancer Models

Targeting VEGF signaling for tumor microenvironment remodeling and metastasis inhibition: Therapeutic strategies and insights

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in cancer progression and metastasis, with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling serving as a key regulator of tumor angiogenesis and immune evasion. VEGF induces abnormal blood vessel formation, promoting tumor growth, immune suppression, and metastasis through epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT). As a result, VEGF signaling has become a critical therapeutic target in cancer treatment. This review examines the molecular mechanisms driving VEGF-mediated tumor growth and angiogenesis, with a focus on the interaction between tumor and endothelial cells and the dual role of VEGF in fostering vascularization and immune suppression. Current anti-VEGF therapies, including monoclonal antibodies (e.g., bevacizumab) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), have demonstrated efficacy and have received FDA approval for various cancers; however, therapeutic resistance remains a significant challenge. Strategies to overcome resistance, such as novel VEGF inhibitors, vascular normalization approaches, and combination therapies with immune checkpoint inhibitors, have been explored. Additionally, future directions emphasize the need for personalized approaches to improve treatment efficacy and reduce metastasis. A comprehensive understanding of VEGF signaling in the TME may pave the way for more effective cancer therapies.

Exosomal lncRNAs in the Tumor Angiogenesis: As Therapeutic Targets in Cancer Treatment

Exosomes, as mediators of intercellular communication, can be released from different types of cells and regulate the function of the target cell by transferring cargo, such as proteins, DNA, and RNA. Recent investigations have revealed a preponderance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a subclass of noncoding RNAs, within exosomes, where they exhibit notable stability and are implicated in the development and progression of neoplastic processes, such as tumor angiogenesis. Angiogenesis, as a hallmark of cancer, provides diffusible nutrients and oxygen to the distant cells and guarantees tumorigenesis and metastasis. Exosomal lncRNAs, including MALAT1, OIP5-AS1, PART1, SNHG family, FAM225A, ATB, RAMP2-AS1, UCA1, TRPM2-AS, FGD5-AS1, and LINC0016, could modulate tumor angiogenesis by activating signaling cascades and mediators within the target cells, such as microRNAs (miRNAs). Regulation of tumor angiogenesis through modulation of exosomal lncRNAs could be a reliable strategy for cancer therapy. In this review, we discuss the characteristics and biogenesis of exosomes and lncRNAs and how exosomal lncRNAs are involved in various processes of tumorigenesis. Our primary focus is on exosomal lncRNAs, their impact on tumor angiogenesis, and their potential as novel diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for various cancers.

Untangling the Role of MYC in Sarcomas and Its Potential as a Promising Therapeutic Target

MYC plays a pivotal role in the biology of various sarcoma subtypes, acting as a key regulator of tumor growth, proliferation, and metabolic reprogramming. This oncogene is frequently dysregulated across different sarcomas, where its expression is closely intertwined with the molecular features unique to each subtype. MYC interacts with critical pathways such as cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis, amplifying tumor aggressiveness and resistance to standard therapies. Furthermore, MYC influences the tumor microenvironment by modulating cell-extracellular matrix interactions and immune evasion mechanisms, further complicating therapeutic management. Despite its well-established centrality in sarcoma pathogenesis, targeting MYC directly remains challenging due to its "undruggable" protein structure. However, emerging therapeutic strategies, including indirect MYC inhibition via epigenetic modulators, transcriptional machinery disruptors, and metabolic pathway inhibitors, offer new hope for sarcoma treatment. This review underscores the importance of understanding the intricate roles of MYC across sarcoma subtypes to guide the development of effective targeted therapies. Given MYC's central role in tumorigenesis and progression, innovative approaches aiming at MYC inhibition could transform the therapeutic landscape for sarcoma patients, providing a much-needed avenue to overcome therapeutic resistance and improve clinical outcomes.

Sex Differences in VEGF and PDGF Ligand and Receptor Protein Expression during Adipose Tissue Expansion and Regression

Inadequate angiogenesis in obesogenic adipose tissue (AT) has been implicated in disrupted adipogenesis and metabolic disorders. Yet, key cellular and molecular regulators of AT angiogenesis remain largely unidentified. This study sought to identify the dysregulated elements within the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) systems during obesity progression. We employ a mouse model, comprising both male and female mice, to investigate the changes in the VEGF/PDGF concentration and their receptor distribution in AT during short- and long-term weight gain and weight loss. Our results reveal pronounced sex-specific differences in obesity progression, with male and female mice exhibiting distinct angiogenic ligand and receptor profiles under identical dietary interventions. This data also lays the groundwork for developing computational models of VEGF/PDGF signaling networks in AT, allowing for the simulation of complex biological interactions and the prediction of therapeutic outcomes.

Vascular endothelial growth factor A: friend or foe in the pathogenesis of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 infections?

This review article discusses the role of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and HIV infection, both conditions being renowned for their impact on the vascular endothelium. The processes involved in vascular homeostasis and angiogenesis are reviewed briefly before exploring the interplay between hypoxia, VEGF-A, neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), and inflammatory pathways. We then focus on SARS-CoV-2 infection and show how the binding of the viral pathogen to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, as well as to NRP-1, leads to elevated levels of VEGF-A and consequences such as coagulation, vascular dysfunction, and inflammation. HIV infection augments angiogenesis via several mechanisms, most prominently, by the trans-activator of transcription (tat) protein mimicking VEGF-A by binding to its receptor, VEGFR-2, as well as upregulation of NRP-1, which enhances the interaction between VEGF-A and VEGFR-2. We propose that the elevated levels of VEGF-A observed during HIV/SARS-CoV-2 co-infection originate predominantly from activated immune cells due to the upregulation of HIF-1α by damaged endothelial cells. In this context, a few clinical trials have described a diminished requirement for oxygen therapy during anti-VEGF treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The currently available anti-VEGF therapy strategies target the binding of VEGF-A to both VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. The blocking of both receptors could, however, lead to a negative outcome, inhibiting not only pathological, but also physiological angiogenesis. Based on the examination of published studies, this review suggests that treatment targeting selective inhibition of VEGFR-1 may be beneficial in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Probing structural requirements for thiazole-based mimetics of sunitinib as potent VEGFR-2 inhibitors

Novel thiazole analogs 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6a-g, 8a, 8b, 9a-c, 10a-d and 11 were designed and synthesized as molecular mimetics of sunitinib. In vitro antitumor activity of the obtained compounds was investigated against HepG2, HCT-116, MCF-7, HeP-2 and HeLa cancer cell lines. The obtained data showed that compounds 3b and 10c are the most potent members toward HepG2, HCT-116, MCF-7 and HeLa cells. Moreover, compounds 3a, 3b, 6g, 8a and 10c were assessed for their in vitro VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity. Results proved that compound 10c exhibited outstanding VEGFR-2 inhibition (IC50 = 0.104 μM) compared to sunitinib. Compound 10c paused the G0-G1 phase of the cell cycle in HCT-116 and MCF-7 cells and the S phase in HeLa cells. Additionally, compound 10c elevated caspase-3/9 levels in HCT-116 and HeLa cells, leading to cancer cell death via apoptosis. Furthermore, compound 10c showed a significant reduction in tumor volume in Swiss albino female mice as an in vivo breast cancer model. Docking results confirmed the tight binding interactions of compound 10c with the VEGFR-2 binding site, with its binding energy surpassing that of sunitinib. In silico PK studies predicted compound 10c to have good oral bioavailability and a good drug score with low human toxicity risks.

Synergistic Therapy of Metastatic Breast Cancers by Biomimetic Chemotherapeutic Drug-Gene Nanoparticles

Cancer metastasis is responsible for more than 90% of tumor-related deaths. Especially, metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is a common malignancy with a high mortality among women worldwide. It is urgent to develop effective drugs for the treatment of MBC. Herein, biomimetic chemotherapeutic drug-gene nanoparticles (named TPT-ASOVEGF@MM NPs) were constructed for the combination therapy of MBC. First, topotecan hydrochloride (TPT) and vascular endothelial growth factor antisense oligonucleotide (ASOVEGF) were coself-assembled in water through electrostatic interaction to produce chemotherapeutic drug-gene nanoparticles (TPT-ASOVEGF NPs). Then, the nanoparticles were encapsulated within macrophage membranes (MM) to form biomimetic TPT-ASOVEGF@MM NPs with long circulation time in blood and active tumor-targeting ability. TPT-ASOVEGF@MM NPs can be effectively internalized by breast cancer cells and then the nanoparticles collapse to simultaneously release TPT and ASOVEGF. ASOVEGF can inhibit the expression of VEGF, impeding the process of neovascularization and blocking the metastatic pathway of cancer cells. Meanwhile, TPT can bind to the topoisomerase I-DNA complex to prevent DNA repair and replication, and further induce apoptosis of cancer cells. In addition, TPT can also affect hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression and inhibit hypoxia-induced tumor metastasis to achieve synergistic therapy with ASOVEGF. In MBC mouse models, the in vivo inhibition rate of TPT-ASOVEGF@MM NPs for lung metastasis was 89.5%, with minor toxic side effects and the least number of metastatic nodules in the lungs. In summary, TPT-ASOVEGF@MM NPs would be a promising biomimetic nanodrug for chemo-gene combination therapy of MBC with high efficacy and safety in clinics.

Leveraging the synergy between anti-angiogenic therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat digestive system cancers

The response rates to immunotherapy vary widely depending on the type of cancer and the specific treatment used and can be disappointingly low for many solid tumors. Fortunately, due to their complementary mechanisms of action, immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy have synergistic effects in cancer treatment. By normalizing the tumor vasculature, anti-angiogenic therapy can improve blood flow and oxygenation to facilitate better immune cell infiltration into the tumor and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. It also reduces immunosuppressive factors and enhances immune activation, to create a more favorable environment for immune cells to attack the tumor. Their combination leverages the strengths of both therapies to enhance anti-tumor effects and improve patient outcomes. This review discusses the vasculature-immunity crosstalk in the tumor microenvironment and summarizes the latest advances in combining anti-angiogenic therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat digestive system tumors.

Immuno-PET Imaging of CD93 Expression with 64Cu-Radiolabeled NOTA-mCD93 ([64Cu]Cu-NOTA-mCD93) and Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 7 ([64Cu]Cu-NOTA-IGFBP7)

CD93 is overexpressed in multiple solid tumor types, serving as a novel target for antiangiogenic therapy. The goal of this study was to develop a 64Cu-based positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for noninvasive imaging of CD93 expression. Antimouse-CD93 mAb (mCD93) and the CD93 ligand IGFBP7 were conjugated to a bifunctional chelator, p-isothiocyanatobenzyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (p-SCN-NOTA) and labeled with 64Cu. To evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties and tumor-targeting efficacy of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-mCD93 and [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-IGFBP7, PET imaging and biodistribution were performed on both 4T1 murine breast tumor-bearing mice and MDA-MB-231 human breast tumor-bearing mice. The tumor model HT1080-FAP, which does not overexpress CD93, was used as a negative control. Fluorescent immunostaining was conducted on different tissues to correlate radiotracer uptake with CD93 expression. 64Cu-labeling was achieved with high yield and specific activity. Serial PET imaging revealed that the in vivo performance of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-IGFBP7 was superior to that of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-mCD93, and that the tracer [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-IGFBP7 exhibited elevated tumor uptake values and excellent tumor retention in MDA-MB-231 mice, rather than in 4T1 murine mice. The MDA-MB-231 tumor uptake of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-IGFBP7 was 2.85 ± 0.15, 3.69 ± 0.60, 6.91 ± 0.88, and 6.35 ± 0.55%ID/g at 1, 4, 24, and 48 h p.i., respectively, which were significantly higher than that in the CD93-negative HT1080-FAP tumor (0.73 ± 0.15, 0.97 ± 0.31, 1.00 ± 0.07, and 1.02 ± 0.11%ID/g, respectively). The significant difference between positive and negative tumors indicated [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-IGFBP7 was specifically binding to CD93. Biodistribution data as measured by gamma counting were consistent with the PET analysis. Ex vivo histology further confirmed the high CD93 expression on MDA-MB-231 tumor tissues. Herein, we prepared two novel radiotracers, [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-mCD93 and [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-IGFBP7, for the first immune-PET imaging of CD93 expression. Our results suggest that [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-IGFBP7 is a more potential radiotracer for visualizing angiogenesis due to its sensitive, persistent, and CD93-specific characteristics.

Assessment of serum levels and placental bed tissue expression of IGF-1, bFGF, and PLGF in patients with placenta previa complicated with placenta accreta spectrum disorders

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to detect the serum levels of IGF-1, bFGF, and PLGF and their expressions in placental bed tissues of patients with placenta previa complicated with PAS disorders.

METHODS

This case and control study included 40 multiparous pregnant women with complete placenta previa between 34 weeks and 38 weeks of gestation and they were divided into two groups: 25 patients with PAS (case group) and 15 patients without PAS (control group). The venous blood samples were collected 2 h before the cesarean section, and the placental bed tissues were taken intraoperatively at the placental implantation site and then were histologically examined to evaluate the gravity of the myometrial invasion of the placenta. According to FIGO PAS increasing grading, the 25 patients were also divided into three groups: PAS grade I group, PAS grade II group, and PAS grade III group. The concentrations of IGF-1, bFGF, and PLGF in serum were measured using ELISA, and the mean ratio of the relative mRNA expression of each biomarker in placental bed tissues was calculated using qRT-PCR. The staining intensity and the positive cells were quantitatively measured and expressed as means by using Image J software for IHC analysis.

RESULTS

IGF-1 had low serum levels and high placental bed expression in placenta previa patients with PAS disorders compared to those without PAS (all p < 0.0001). PLGF had high serum levels (p = 0.0200) and high placental bed expression (p < 0.0001) in placenta previa patients with PAS disorders compared to those without PAS. IGF-1 serum levels decreased up to PAS grade II (means were 24.3 ± 4.03, 21.98 ± 3.29, and 22.03 ± 7.31, respectively for PAS grade I, PAS grade II, PAS grade III groups, p = 0.0006). PLGF serum levels increased up to PAS grade II (means were 12.96 ± 2.74, 14.97 ± 2.56, and 14.89 ± 2.14, respectively for the three groups, p = 0.0392). However, IGF-1 and PLGF mRNA placental bed expression increased up to PAS grade III. The relative expression of mRNA means for the three groups was 3.194 ± 1.40, 3.509 ± 0.63, and 3.872 ± 0.70, respectively for IGF-1; and 2.784 ± 1.14, 2.810 ± 0.71, and 2.869 ± 0.48, respectively for PLGF (all p < 0.0001). Their IHC (immunohistochemical) staining also had increasing trends, but p > 0.05. bFGF was not significantly expressed in placenta previa with PAS disorders in most of the analysis sections (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Low serum levels and high expression in placental bed tissues of IGF-1, or high serum levels and high expression in placental bed tissues of PLGF, may differentiate placenta previa patients with FIGO PAS grade I and PAS grade II from those without PAS disorders. However, they could not significantly predict the degree of placental invasiveness in FIGO PAS grades II and III.

The role of cystathionine β-synthase in cancer

Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) occupies a key position as the initiating and rate-limiting enzyme in the sulfur transfer pathway and plays a vital role in health and disease. CBS is responsible for regulating the metabolism of cysteine, the precursor of glutathione (GSH), an important antioxidant in the body. Additionally, CBS is one of the three enzymes that produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in mammals through a variety of mechanisms. The dysregulation of CBS expression in cancer cells affects H2S production through direct or indirect pathways, thereby influencing cancer growth and metastasis by inducing angiogenesis, facilitating proliferation, migration, and invasion, modulating cellular energy metabolism, promoting cell cycle progression, and inhibiting apoptosis. It is noteworthy that CBS expression exhibits complex changes in different cancer models. In this paper, we focus on the CBS synthesis and metabolism, tissue distribution, potential mechanisms influencing tumor growth, and relevant signaling pathways. We also discuss the impact of pharmacological CBS inhibitors and silencing CBS in preclinical cancer models, supporting their potential as targeted cancer therapies.

New series of 4,6-diaryl pyrimidines: facile synthesis and antiproliferative activity as dual EGFR/VEGFR-2 inhibitors

Introduction

We developed and produced a new series of 4,6-diaryl-pyrimidines 9-29 as antiproliferative agents targeting EGFR/VEGFR-2.

Methods

The antiproliferative efficacy of the novel targets was assessed against a panel of 60 NCI cancer cell lines and four cancer cell lines in vitro.

Results and Discussion

Compounds 14, 17, 19, 22, 25, and 29 demonstrated the greatest potency among the derivatives, with GI50 values between 22 and 33 nM; compounds 22 and 29 exhibited the highest potency, with GI50 values of 22 and 24 nM, respectively. We subsequently examined the most efficient derivatives as dual EGFR/VEGFR-2 inhibitors, finding that compounds 22 and 29 functioned as dual inhibitors. Moreover, 22 and 29 can act as apoptotic inducers by increasing Bax levels and decreasing levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2. At both 24- and 48-h intervals, the cell migration rates of compounds 22 and 29 were lower than those of untreated cells, according to the migration rate and wound closure percentage assessment. The wound closure rate reached 100% after 72 h of therapy with compound 22 but only 80% with compound 29. The docking study showed that compounds 22 and 29 had docking scores similar to those of Erlotinib and Sorafenib, co-crystallized ligands, for the EGFR and VEGFR-2 proteins. The experiments on lipophilicity showed that the new pyrimidines had a consistent result. This group of compounds has better biological activity in all the biological systems studied with low lipophilicity.

Co-inhibition of PGF and VEGFA enhances the effectiveness of immunotherapy in bladder cancer

Background: Anti-angiogenic inhibitors and immune checkpoint blockade combination therapy offers a novel approach to circumvent the challenges associated with limited responsiveness to checkpoint inhibitors in bladder cancer. However, the effective strategies for inhibiting angiogenesis in bladder cancer need further elucidation. Objective: This work aims to identify key targets for the effective inhibition of angiogenesis in bladder cancer and to explore the potential benefits of combining anti-angiogenic therapies with immune checkpoint blockade strategies in the treatment of this disease. Methods: Cell-cell interaction analysis was performed using bladder cancer single-cell transcriptome datasets downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to determine the regulatory network driving angiogenesis in bladder cancer. The bladder cancer cell line MBT2 was orthotopically transplanted into mice to investigate the impact of pro-angiogenic molecules on angiogenesis and tumor growth, and to evaluate the synergistic therapeutic potential of a combination therapy targeting angiogenesis and Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1). Proliferation and tube formation assays with Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) were used to explore the regulatory functions of pro-angiogenic molecules in angiogenesis. Results: Placental growth factor (PGF) is a pro-angiogenic factor in bladder cancer, in addition to vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). Suppression of PGF reduced the tumor size and angiogenesis in bladder cancer. The expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) is higher than that of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor2 (VEGFR2) in the endothelial cells of bladder cancer. The pro-angiogenic activity of PGF is dependent on the expression level of VEGFR1 in endothelial cells. The combined inhibition of PGF and VEGFA exerts a synergistic effect on suppressing tumor growth and angiogenesis. The concurrent inhibition of PGF and VEGFA stands out as the only intervention capable of significantly enhancing the infiltration of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells within the bladder cancer microenvironment. In the bladder cancer mouse model, the introduction of an anti- programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapeutic regimen combined with the targeted inhibition of PGF and VEGFA, led to a significantly elevated survival rate compared to the outcome observed with anti-PD-1 monotherapy. Conclusion: PGF is a pro-angiogenic molecule in bladder cancer that requires significant expression levels of VEGFR1 in endothelial cells. Notably, the concurrent inhibition of PGF and VEGFA amplifies the therapeutic impact of anti-PD-1 treatment in bladder cancer. These findings provide further insights into the role of PGF in angiogenesis regulation and have conceptual implications for combining anti-angiogenic therapy with immune therapy in bladder cancer treatment.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor a Promotes Chronic Itch via VEGFA-VEGFR2-PI3K-TRPV1 Axis in Allergic Contact Dermatitis

Introduction

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), a prevalent skin disorder affecting up to 20% of the population, triggers significant discomfort and health implications. Our research investigates the pivotal role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) in chronic itching associated with ACD.

Methods

Bioinformatics methods were utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ACD models and patients. In vivo models of chronic pruritus in mice induced by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) were employed. Mice were administered subcutaneously with a VEGFA inhibitor, sFlt1, and compared to a control group. Real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate VEGFA expression and the impact of sFlt1 on itching behavior.

Results

The analysis revealed that VEGFA is significantly upregulated in ACD skin, primarily expressed by keratinocytes. Administration of the VEGFA inhibitor sFlt1 in the ACD mouse model led to a substantial reduction in scratching behavior, indicating that VEGFA may mediate pruritus through the VEGFA-VEGFR2-PI3K-TRPV1 signaling pathway.

Discussion

These findings suggest that VEGFA plays a crucial role in ACD-associated pruritus and may serve as a potential therapeutic target. However, further research is required to validate these findings and to explore additional molecular pathways involved in the pruritic response in ACD.

Target specification and therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles for regulating corneal angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and nerve repair

Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, are small extracellular vesicles that range in size from 30 nm to 10 μm in diameter and have specific membrane markers. They are naturally secreted and are present in various bodily fluids, including blood, urine, and saliva, and through the variety of their internal cargo, they contribute to both normal physiological and pathological processes. These processes include immune modulation, neuronal synapse formation, cell differentiation, cancer metastasis, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, progression of infectious disease, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In recent years, interest has grown in the use of exosomes as a potential drug delivery system for various diseases and injuries. Importantly, exosomes originating from a patient's own cells exhibit minimal immunogenicity and possess remarkable stability along with inherent and adjustable targeting capabilities. This review explores the roles of exosomes in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and nerve repair with a specific emphasis on these processes within the cornea. Furthermore, it examines exosomes derived from specific cell types, discusses the advantages of exosome-based therapies in modulating these processes, and presents some of the most established methods for exosome isolation. Exosome-based treatments are emerging as potential minimally invasive and non-immunogenic therapies that modulate corneal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, as well as enhance and accelerate endogenous corneal nerve repair.

Recent Advances in Marine-Derived Nanoformulation for the Management of Glioblastoma

Glioma is the most common and aggressive type of central nervous system tumor as categorized by the World Health Organization. Glioblastoma (GBA), in general, exhibits a grim prognosis and short life expectancy, rarely exceeding 14 months. The dismal prognosis is primarily attributed to the development of chemoresistance to temozolomide, the primary therapeutic agent for GBA treatment. Hence, it becomes imperative to develop novel drugs with antitumor efficacy rooted in distinct mechanisms compared to temozolomide. The vast marine environment contains a wealth of naturally occurring compounds from the sea (known as marine-derived natural products), which hold promise for future research in the quest for new anticancer drugs. Ongoing advancements in anticancer pharmaceuticals have led to an upswing in the isolation and validation of numerous pioneering breakthroughs and improvements in anticancer therapeutics. Nonetheless, the availability of FDA-approved marine-derived anticancer drugs remains limited, owing to various challenges and constraints. Among these challenges, drug delivery is a prominent hurdle. This review delves into an alternative approach for delivering marine-derived drugs using nanotechnological formulations and their mechanism of action for treating GBA.

Integrating Vascular Phenotypic and Proteomic Analysis in an Open Microfluidic Platform

This research introduces a vascular phenotypic and proteomic analysis (VPT) platform designed to perform high-throughput experiments on vascular development. The VPT platform utilizes an open-channel configuration that facilitates angiogenesis by precise alignment of endothelial cells, allowing for a 3D morphological examination and protein analysis. We study the effects of antiangiogenic agents─bevacizumab, ramucirumab, cabozantinib, regorafenib, wortmannin, chloroquine, and paclitaxel─on cytoskeletal integrity and angiogenic sprouting, observing an approximately 50% reduction in sprouting at higher drug concentrations. Precise LC-MS/MS analyses reveal global protein expression changes in response to four of these drugs, providing insights into the signaling pathways related to the cell cycle, cytoskeleton, cellular senescence, and angiogenesis. Our findings emphasize the intricate relationship between cytoskeletal alterations and angiogenic responses, underlining the significance of integrating morphological and proteomic data for a comprehensive understanding of angiogenesis. The VPT platform not only advances our understanding of drug impacts on vascular biology but also offers a versatile tool for analyzing proteome and morphological features across various models beyond blood vessels.

Comprehensive insights into oral squamous cell carcinoma: Diagnosis, pathogenesis, and therapeutic advances

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is considered the most common type of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) as it holds 90 % of HNSCC cases that arise from multiple locations in the oral cavity. The last three decades witnessed little progress in the diagnosis and treatment of OSCC the aggressive tumor. However, in-depth knowledge about OSCC's pathogenesis, staging & grading, hallmarks, and causative factors is a prime requirement in advanced diagnosis and treatment for OSCC patients. Therefore present review was intended to comprehend the OSCCs' prevalence, staging & grading, molecular pathogenesis including premalignant stages, various hallmarks, etiology, diagnostic methods, treatment (including FDA-approved drugs with the mechanism of action and side effects), and theranostic agents. The current review updates that for a better understanding of OSCC progress tumor-promoting inflammation, sustained proliferative signaling, and growth-suppressive signals/apoptosis capacity evasion are the three most important hallmarks to be considered. This review suggests that among all the etiology factors the consumption of tobacco is the major contributor to the high incidence rate of OSCC. In OSCC diagnosis biopsy is considered the gold standard, however, toluidine blue staining is the easiest and non-invasive method with high accuracy. Although there are various therapeutic agents available for cancer treatment, however, a few only are approved by the FDA specifically for OSCC treatment. The present review recommends that among all available OSCC treatments, the antibody-based CAR-NK is a promising therapeutic approach for future cancer treatment. Presently review also suggests that theranostics have boosted the advancement of cancer diagnosis and treatment, however, additional work is required to refine the role of theranostics in combination with different modalities in cancer treatment.

Underlying mechanisms and management strategies for regorafenib-induced toxicity in hepatocellular carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 85% of liver cancer cases and is the third leading cause of cancer death. Regorafenib is a multi-target inhibitor that dramatically prolongs progression-free survival in HCC patients who have failed sorafenib therapy. However, one of the primary factors limiting regorafenib's clinical utilization is toxicity. Using Clinical Trials.gov and PubMed, we gathered clinical data on regorafenib and conducted a extensive analysis of the medication's adverse reactions and mechanisms. Next, we suggested suitable management techniques to improve regorafenib's effectiveness.

AREAS COVERED

We have reviewed the mechanisms by which regorafenib-induced toxicity occurs and general management strategies through clinical trials of regorafenib. Furthermore, by examining the literature on regorafenib and other tyrosine kinase inhibition, we summarized the mechanics of the onset of regorafenib toxicity and mechanism-based intervention strategies by reviewing the literature related to regorafenib and other tyrosine kinase inhibition.

EXPERT OPINION

One of the primary factors restricting regorafenib's clinical utilization and combination therapy is its toxicity reactions. To optimize regorafenib treatment regimens, it is especially important to further understand the specific toxicity mechanisms of regorafenib as a multi-kinase inhibitor.

Exploring Cancer Immunotherapy and the Promise of Cancer Vaccine

The goal of immunotherapy is to enhance the immune system by managing the immunological-mediated microenvironment, which makes it possible for immune cells to locate and destroy tumour cells at vital nodes. In the tumor microenvironment, immune responses against tumour cells are reduced when these cells take up immune-regulatory mechanisms. An environment that suppresses the immune system is facilitated by immune cells, including regulatory T cells, regulatory B cells, dendritic cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. In a number of cancer types, adoptive immune cells and immune checkpoint modulators have shown impressive anticancer benefits. Tumour growth is facilitated in large part by immune cells found in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Tumour growth may be stimulated or inhibited by these cells. The ability of the immune system to elude detection by cancer cells offers new possibilities for innovative cancer treatment strategies.

Distinct tumor-TAM interactions in IDH-stratified glioma microenvironments unveiled by single-cell and spatial transcriptomics

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) residing in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are characterized by their pivotal roles in tumor progression, antitumor immunity, and TME remodeling. However, a thorough comparative characterization of tumor-TAM crosstalk across IDH-defined categories of glioma remains elusive, likely contributing to mixed outcomes in clinical trials. We delineated the phenotypic heterogeneity of TAMs across IDH-stratified gliomas. Notably, two TAM subsets with a mesenchymal phenotype were enriched in IDH-WT glioblastoma (GBM) and correlated with poorer patient survival and reduced response to anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI). We proposed SLAMF9 receptor as a potential therapeutic target. Inference of gene regulatory networks identified PPARG, ELK1, and MXI1 as master transcription factors of mesenchymal BMD-TAMs. Our analyses of reciprocal tumor-TAM interactions revealed distinct crosstalk in IDH-WT tumors, including ANXA1-FPR1/3, FN1-ITGAVB1, VEGFA-NRP1, and TNFSF12-TNFRSF12A with known contribution to immunosuppression, tumor proliferation, invasion and TAM recruitment. Spatially resolved transcriptomics further elucidated the architectural organization of highlighted communications. Furthermore, we demonstrated significant upregulation of ANXA1, FN1, NRP1, and TNFRSF12A genes in IDH-WT tumors using bulk RNA-seq and RT-qPCR. Longitudinal expression analysis of candidate genes revealed no difference between primary and recurrent tumors indicating that the interactive network of malignant states with TAMs does not drastically change upon recurrence. Collectively, our study offers insights into the unique cellular composition and communication of TAMs in glioma TME, revealing novel vulnerabilities for therapeutic interventions in IDH-WT GBM.

Analyzing VEGFA/VEGFR1 Interaction: Application of the Resonant Recognition Model-Stockwell Transform Method to Explore Potential Therapeutics for Angiogenesis-Related Diseases

The interaction between vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and VEGF receptor 1(VEGFR1) is a central focus for drug development in pathological angiogenesis, where aberrant angiogenesis underlies various anomalies necessitating therapeutic intervention. Identifying hotspots of these proteins is crucial for developing new therapeutics. Although machine learning techniques have succeeded significantly in prediction tasks, they struggle to pinpoint hotspots linked to angiogenic activity accurately. This study involves the collection of diverse VEGFA and VEGFR1 protein sequences from various species via the UniProt database. Electron-ion interaction Potential (EIIP) values were assigned to individual amino acids and transformed into frequency-domain representations using discrete Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). A consensus spectrum emerged by consolidating FFT data from multiple sequences, unveiling specific characteristic frequencies. Subsequently, the Stockwell Transform (ST) was employed to yield the hotspots. The Resonant Recognition Model (RRM) identified a characteristic frequency of 0.128007 with an associated wavelength of 1570 nm and RRM-ST identified hotspots for VEGFA (Human 36, 46, 48, 67, 71, 74, 82, 86, 89, 93) and VEGFR1 (Human 224, 259, 263, 290, 807, 841, 877, 881, 885, 892, 894, 909, 913, 1018, 1022, 1026, 1043). These findings were cross-validated by Hotspots Wizard 3.0 webserver and Protein Data Bank (PDB). The study proposes using a 1570 nm wavelength for photo bio modulation to boost VEGFA/VEGFR1 interaction in the condition that is needed. It also aims to reduce VEGFA/VEGFR2 interaction, limiting harmful angiogenesis in conditions like diabetic retinopathy. Also, the identified hotspots assist in designing agonistic or antagonistic peptides tailored to specific medical requirements with abnormal angiogenesis.

Expression of hsa-miRNA-15b, -99b, -181a and Their Relationship to Angiogenesis in Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a regulatory role in various human cancers. The roles of hsa-miR-15a-5p, hsa-miR-99b-5p, and hsa-miR-181a-5p have not been fully explored in the angiogenesis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

AIMS

The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of these miRNAs in tumorous and adjacent healthy tissues of RCC.

METHODS

Paired tumorous and adjacent normal kidney tissues from 20 patients were studied. The expression levels of hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-99b-5p, and hsa-miR-181a-5p were quantified by TaqMan miRNA Assays. Putative targets were analyzed by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

Significant downregulation of all three miRNAs investigated was observed in tumorous samples compared to adjacent normal kidney tissues. Spearman analysis showed a negative correlation between the expression levels of miRNAs and the pathological grades of the patients. Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), was observed in tumorous samples compared to adjacent normal tissues. Depletion of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) was detected compared to normal adjacent tissues. The examined miRNAs might function as contributing factors to renal carcinogenesis. However, more prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the potential role of miRNAs in RCC angiogenesis.

The expression patterns of different cell types and their interactions in the tumor microenvironment are predictive of breast cancer patient response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex ecosystem of diverse cell types whose interactions govern tumor growth and clinical outcome. While the TME's impact on immunotherapy has been extensively studied, its role in chemotherapy response remains less explored. To address this, we developed DECODEM (DEcoupling Cell-type-specific Outcomes using DEconvolution and Machine learning), a generic computational framework leveraging cellular deconvolution of bulk transcriptomics to associate the gene expression of individual cell types in the TME with clinical response. Employing DECODEM to analyze the gene expression of breast cancer (BC) patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, we find that the gene expression of specific immune cells (myeloid, plasmablasts, B-cells) and stromal cells (endothelial, normal epithelial, CAFs) are highly predictive of chemotherapy response, going beyond that of the malignant cells. These findings are further tested and validated in a single-cell cohort of triple negative breast cancer. To investigate the possible role of immune cell-cell interactions (CCIs) in mediating chemotherapy response, we extended DECODEM to DECODEMi to identify such CCIs, validated in single-cell data. Our findings highlight the importance of active pre-treatment immune infiltration for chemotherapy success. The tools developed here are made publicly available and are applicable for studying the role of the TME in mediating response from readily available bulk tumor expression in a wide range of cancer treatments and indications.

Potential inhibitors of VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3 developed through Deep Learning for the treatment of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer stands as a prevalent gynaecologic malignancy affecting women globally, often linked to persistent human papillomavirus infection. Biomarkers associated with cervical cancer, including VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, and VEGF-E, show upregulation and are linked to angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. This research aims to employ in-silico methods to target tyrosine kinase receptor proteins-VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3, and identify novel inhibitors for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors receptors (VEGFRs). A comprehensive literary study was conducted which identified 26 established inhibitors for VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 receptor proteins. Compounds with high-affinity scores, including PubChem ID-25102847, 369976, and 208908 were chosen from pre-existing compounds for creating Deep Learning-based models. RD-Kit, a Deep learning algorithm, was used to generate 43 million compounds for VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 targets. Molecular docking studies were conducted on the top 10 molecules for each target to validate the receptor-ligand binding affinity. The results of Molecular Docking indicated that PubChem IDs-71465,645 and 11152946 exhibited strong affinity, designating them as the most efficient molecules. To further investigate their potential, a Molecular Dynamics Simulation was performed to assess conformational stability, and a pharmacophore analysis was also conducted for indoctrinating interactions.

Beyond Psychotropic: Potential Repurposing of Fluoxetine toward Cancer Therapy

Drug repurposing, rebranding an existing drug for a new therapeutic indication, is deemed a beneficial approach for a quick and cost-effective drug discovery process by skipping preclinical, Phase 1 trials and pharmacokinetic studies. Several psychotropic drugs, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), were studied for their potential application in different diseases, especially in cancer therapy. Fluoxetine (FLX) is one of the most prescribed psychotropic agents from the SSRIs class for the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders with a favorable safety profile. FLX exhibited different oncolytic effects via mechanisms distinct from its main serotonergic activity. Taking advantage of its ability to rapidly penetrate the blood-brain barrier, FLX could be particularly useful in brain tumors. This was proved by different in vitro and in vivo experiments using FLX as a monotherapy or combination with temozolomide (TMZ) or radiotherapy. In this review of the literature, we summarize the potential pleiotropic oncolytic roles of FLX against different cancers, highlighting the multifaceted activities of FLX and its ability to interrupt cancer proliferation via several molecular mechanisms and even surmount multidrug resistance (MDR). We elaborated on the successful synergistic combinations such as FXR/temozolomide and FXR/raloxifene for the treatment of glioblastoma and breast cancer, respectively. We showcased beneficial pharmaceutical trials to load FLX onto carriers to enhance its safety and efficacy on cancer cells. This is the first review article extensively summarizing all previous FLX repurposing studies for the management of cancer.

Recent advances and future directions on small molecule VEGFR inhibitors in oncological conditions

"A journey of mixed emotions" is a quote that best describes the progress chart of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors as cancer therapeutics in the last decade. Exhilarated with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals of numerous VEGFR inhibitors coupled with the annoyance of encountering the complications associated with their use, drug discovery enthusiasts are on their toes with an unswerving determination to enhance the rate of translation of VEGFR inhibitors from preclinical to clinical stage. The recently crafted armory of VEGFR inhibitors is a testament to their growing dominance over other antiangiogenic therapies for cancer treatment. This review perspicuously underscores the earnest attempts of the researchers to extract the antiproliferative potential of VEGFR inhibitors through the design of mechanistically diverse structural assemblages. Moreover, this review encompasses sections on structural/molecular properties and physiological functions of VEGFR, FDA-approved VEGFR inhibitors, and hurdles restricting the activity range/clinical applicability of VEGFR targeting antitumor agents. In addition, tactics to overcome the limitations of VEGFR inhibitors are discussed. A clear-cut viewpoint transmitted through this compilation can provide practical directions to push the cart of VEGFR inhibitors to advanced-stage clinical investigations in diverse malignancies.

Tumor biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and targeted therapy

Tumor biomarkers, the substances which are produced by tumors or the body's responses to tumors during tumorigenesis and progression, have been demonstrated to possess critical and encouraging value in screening and early diagnosis, prognosis prediction, recurrence detection, and therapeutic efficacy monitoring of cancers. Over the past decades, continuous progress has been made in exploring and discovering novel, sensitive, specific, and accurate tumor biomarkers, which has significantly promoted personalized medicine and improved the outcomes of cancer patients, especially advances in molecular biology technologies developed for the detection of tumor biomarkers. Herein, we summarize the discovery and development of tumor biomarkers, including the history of tumor biomarkers, the conventional and innovative technologies used for biomarker discovery and detection, the classification of tumor biomarkers based on tissue origins, and the application of tumor biomarkers in clinical cancer management. In particular, we highlight the recent advancements in biomarker-based anticancer-targeted therapies which are emerging as breakthroughs and promising cancer therapeutic strategies. We also discuss limitations and challenges that need to be addressed and provide insights and perspectives to turn challenges into opportunities in this field. Collectively, the discovery and application of multiple tumor biomarkers emphasized in this review may provide guidance on improved precision medicine, broaden horizons in future research directions, and expedite the clinical classification of cancer patients according to their molecular biomarkers rather than organs of origin.

VEGF/VEGFR axis and its signaling in melanoma: Current knowledge toward therapeutic targeting agents and future perspectives

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.

Meroterpenoids from Marine Sponge Hyrtios sp. and Their Anticancer Activity against Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Two new meroterpenoids, hyrtamide A (1) and hyrfarnediol A (2), along with two known ones, 3-farnesyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester (3) and dictyoceratin C (4), were isolated from a South China Sea sponge Hyrtios sp. Their structures were elucidated by NMR and MS data. Compounds 2-4 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116), showing IC50 values of 41.6, 45.0, and 37.3 μM, respectively. Furthermore, compounds 3 and 4 significantly suppressed the invasion of HCT-116 cells while also downregulating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1) and vimentin proteins, which are key markers associated with angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our findings suggest that compounds 3 and 4 may exert their anti-invasive effects on tumor cells by inhibiting the expression of VEGFR-1 and impeding the process of EMT.

Decoding Tumor Angiogenesis for Therapeutic Advancements: Mechanistic Insights

Tumor angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels within the tumor microenvironment, is considered a hallmark of cancer progression and represents a crucial target for therapeutic intervention. The tumor microenvironment is characterized by a complex interplay between proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, regulating the vascularization necessary for tumor growth and metastasis. The study of angiogenesis involves a spectrum of techniques, spanning from biomarker assessment to advanced imaging modalities. This comprehensive review aims to provide insights into the molecular intricacies, regulatory dynamics, and clinical implications of tumor angiogenesis. By delving into these aspects, we gain a deeper understanding of the processes driving vascularization in tumors, paving the way for the development of novel and effective antiangiogenic therapies in the fight against cancer.

Morphological evaluation of the feline placenta correlates with gene expression of vascular growth factors and receptors†

Placental angiogenesis is critical for normal development. Angiogenic factors and their receptors are key regulators of this process. Dysregulated placental vascular development is associated with pregnancy complications. Despite their importance, vascular growth factor expression has not been thoroughly correlated with placental morphologic development across gestation in cats. We postulate that changes in placental vessel morphology can be appreciated as consequences of dynamic expression of angiogenic signaling agents. Here, we characterized changes in placental morphology alongside expression analysis of angiogenic factor splice variants and receptors throughout pregnancy in domestic shorthair cats. We observed increased vascular and lamellar density in the lamellar zone during mid-pregnancy. Immunohistochemical analysis localized the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) receptor KDR to endothelial cells of the maternal and fetal microvasculatures. PlGF and its principal receptor Flt-1 were localized to the trophoblasts and fetal vasculature. VEGF-A was found in trophoblast cells and associated with endothelial cells. We detected expression of two Plgf splice variants and four Vegf-a variants. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed upregulation of mRNAs encoding pan Vegf-a and all Vegf-a splice forms at gestational days 30-35. Vegf-A showed a marked relative increase in expression during mid-pregnancy, consistent with the pro-angiogenic changes seen in the lamellar zone at days 30-35. Flt-1 was upregulated during late pregnancy. Plgf variants showed stable expression during the first two-thirds of pregnancy, followed by a marked increase toward term. These findings revealed specific spatiotemporal expression patterns of VEGF-A family members consistent with pivotal roles during normal placental development.

The VEGFs/VEGFRs system in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases: Pathophysiological roles and therapeutic implications

The vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their cognate receptors (VEGFRs), besides their well-known involvement in physiological angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis and in diseases associated to pathological vessel formation, play multifaceted functions in the central nervous system (CNS). In addition to shaping brain development, by controlling cerebral vasculogenesis and regulating neurogenesis as well as astrocyte differentiation, the VEGFs/VEGFRs axis exerts essential functions in the adult brain both in physiological and pathological contexts. In this article, after describing the physiological VEGFs/VEGFRs functions in the CNS, we focus on the VEGFs/VEGFRs involvement in neurodegenerative diseases by reviewing the current literature on the rather complex VEGFs/VEGFRs contribution to the pathogenic mechanisms of Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) diseases. Thereafter, based on the outcome of VEGFs/VEGFRs targeting in animal models of AD and PD, we discuss the factual relevance of pharmacological VEGFs/VEGFRs modulation as a novel and potential disease-modifying approach for these neurodegenerative pathologies. Specific VEGFRs targeting, aimed at selective VEGFR-1 inhibition, while preserving VEGFR-2 signal transduction, appears as a promising strategy to hit the molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology. Moreover, therapeutic VEGFs-based approaches can be proposed for PD treatment, with the aim of fine-tuning their brain levels to amplify neurotrophic/neuroprotective effects while limiting an excessive impact on vascular permeability.

VEGF signaling: Role in angiogenesis and beyond

Angiogenesis is a crucial process for tissue development, repair, and tumor survival. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key driver secreted by cancer cells, promoting neovascularization. While VEGF's role in angiogenesis is well-documented, its influence on the other aspects in tumor microenvironemt is less discussed. This review elaborates on VEGF's impact on intercellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment, including how VEGF affects pericyte proliferation and migration and mediates interactions between tumor-associated macrophages and cancer cells, resulting in PDL-1-mediated immunosuppression and Nrf2-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The review discusses VEGF's involvement in intra-organelle crosstalk, tumor metabolism, stemness, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It also provides insights into current anti-VEGF therapies and their limitations in cancer treatment. Overall, this review aims to provide a thorough overview of the current state of knowledge concerning VEGF signaling and its impact, not only on angiogenesis but also on various other oncogenic processes.

Advances in peptide-based drug delivery systems

Drug delivery systems (DDSs) are designed to deliver drugs to their specific targets to minimize their toxic effects and improve their susceptibility to clearance during targeted transport. Peptides have high affinity, low immunogenicity, simple amino acid composition, and adjustable molecular size; therefore, most peptides can be coupled to drugs via linkers to form peptide-drug conjugates (PDCs) and act as active pro-drugs. PDCs are widely thought to be promising DDSs, given their ability to improve drug bio-compatibility and physiological stability. Peptide-based DDSs are often used to deliver therapeutic substances such as anti-cancer drugs and nucleic acid-based drugs, which not only slow the degradation rate of drugs in vivo but also ensure the drug concentration at the targeted site and prolong the half-life of drugs in vivo. This article provides an profile of the advancements and future development in functional peptide-based DDSs both domestically and internationally in recent years, in the expectation of achieving targeted drug delivery incorporating functional peptides and taking full advantage of synergistic effects.

Acalabrutinib as a novel hope for the treatment of breast and lung cancer: an in-silico proof of concept

Drug repurposing is proved to be a groundbreaking concept in the field of cancer research, accelerating the pace of de novo drug discovery by investigating the anti-cancer activity of the already approved drugs. On the other hand, it got highly benefitted from the advancement in the in-silico tools and techniques, which are used to build up the initial "proof of concept" based on the drug-target interaction. Acalabrutinib (ACL) is a well-known drug for the treatment of hematological malignancies. But, the therapeutic ability of ACL against solid tumors is still unexplored. Thereby, the activity of ACL on breast cancer and lung cancer was evaluated utilizing different computational methods. A series of proteins such as VEGFR1, ALK, BCL2, CXCR-4, mTOR, AKT, PI3K, HER-2, and Estrogen receptors were selected based on their involvement in the progression of the breast as well as lung cancer. A multi-level computational study starting from protein-ligand docking to molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were performed to detect the binding potential of ACL towards the selected proteins. Results of the study led to the identification of ACL as a ligand that showed a high docking score and binding energy with HER-2, mTOR, and VEGFR-1 successively. Whereas, the MD simulations study has also shown good docked complex stability of ACL with HER2 and VEGFR1. Our findings suggest that interaction with those receptors can lead to preventive action on both breast and lung cancer, thus it can be concluded that ACL could be a potential molecule for the same purpose.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Recent advances in drug delivery and targeting for the treatment of pancreatic cancer

Despite significant treatment efforts, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the deadliest solid tumor, is still incurable in the preclinical stages due to multifacet stroma, dense desmoplasia, and immune regression. Additionally, tumor heterogeneity and metabolic changes are linked to low grade clinical translational outcomes, which has prompted the investigation of the mechanisms underlying chemoresistance and the creation of effective treatment approaches by selectively targeting genetic pathways. Since targeting upstream molecules in first-line oncogenic signaling pathways typically has little clinical impact, downstream signaling pathways have instead been targeted in both preclinical and clinical studies. In this review, we discuss how the complexity of various tumor microenvironment (TME) components and the oncogenic signaling pathways that they are connected to actively contribute to the development and spread of PDAC, as well as the ways that recent therapeutic approaches have been targeted to restore it. We also illustrate how many endogenous stimuli-responsive linker-based nanocarriers have recently been developed for the specific targeting of distinct oncogenes and their downstream signaling cascades as well as their ongoing clinical trials. We also discuss the present challenges, prospects, and difficulties in the development of first-line oncogene-targeting medicines for the treatment of pancreatic cancer patients.

sVEGF-R1 in acute non-infectious toxicity syndromes after pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is challenged by acute non-infectious toxicities, including sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), engraftment syndrome (ES) and capillary leak syndrome (CLS) among others. These complications are thought to be driven by a dysfunctional vascular endothelium, but the pathophysiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood, and the diagnoses are challenged by purely clinical diagnostic criteria that are partly overlapping, limiting the possibilities for progress in this field. There is, however, increasing evidence suggesting that these challenges may be met through the development of diagnostic biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy of pathogenetically homogenous entities, improved pre-transplant risk assessment and the early identification of patients with increased need for specific treatment. Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sVEGF-R1) is emerging as an important biomarker of endothelial damage in patients with trauma and sepsis but has not been studied in HSCT.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate sVEGF-R1 as a marker of endothelial damage in pediatric HSCT patients by exploring associations with SOS, CLS, ES, and acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD).

METHODS

We prospectively included 113 children undergoing myeloablative HSCT and measured sVEGF-R1 in plasma samples obtained weekly during the early period of transplantation and 3 months post-transplant.

RESULTS

All over, sVEGF-R1 levels were significantly increased from day +7 after graft infusion, peaking at day +30, most pronounced in patients receiving busulfan. Patients considered to be at increased risk of SOS and therefore commenced on prophylactic defibrotide had significantly elevated levels of sVEGF-R1 before start of conditioning (446 pg/mL vs. 281 pg/mL, p = 0.0035), and this treatment appeared to stabilize sVEGF-R1 levels compared to patients not treated with defibrotide. Thirteen (11.5%) children meeting the modified Seattle criteria for SOS at median day +8 (1-18), had significantly elevated sVEGF-R1 levels on day +14 (489 pg/mL vs. 327 pg/mL, p = 0.007). In contrast. sVEGF-R1 levels in the much broader group of patients (45.1%) meeting EBMT-SOS criteria, including patients with very mild disease, did not overall differ in sVEGF-R1 levels, but higher sVEGF-R1 levels were seen in EBMT-SOS patients with an increased need for diuretic treatment. Importantly, sVEGF-R1 levels were not associated with ES and CLS but were significantly increased on day +30 in patients with grade III-IV aGvHD (OR = 4.2 pr. quartile, p = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

VEGF-R1 levels are found to be increased in pediatric patients developing SOS, reflecting the severity of morbidity. sVEGF-R1 were unassociated with both CLS and ES. The potential of sVEGF-R1 as a clinically useful biomarker for SOS should be further explored to improve pre-transplant SOS-risk assessment, SOS-severity grading, and to guide treatment.

Prognostic significance and relationship of SMAD3 phospho-isoforms and VEGFR-1 in gastric cancer: A clinicopathological study

BACKGROUND

The TGF-β/SMAD3 and VEGFR-1 signaling pathways play important roles in gastric cancer metastasis. SMAD3 phosphorylation is a crucial prognostic marker in gastric cancer.

AIM

To determine the prognostic value and relationship of SMAD3 phospho-isoforms and VEGFR-1 in gastric cancer.

METHODS

This was a single-center observational study which enrolled 98 gastric cancer patients and 82 adjacent normal gastric tissues from patients aged 32-84 years (median age 65) between July 2006 and April 2007. Patients were followed up until death or the study ended (median follow-up duration of 28.5 mo). The samples were used to generate tissue microarrays (TMAs) for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. The expressions of TGF-β1, pSMAD3C(S423/425), pSMAD3L(S204), and VEGFR-1 in gastric cancer (GC) tumor tissue and normal tissue were measured by IHC staining using TMAs obtained from 98 GC patients. Prognosis and survival information of the patients was recorded by Outdo Biotech from May 2007 to July 2015. The relationship between TGF-β1, pSMAD3C(S423/425), pSMAD3L(S204), and VEGFR-1 protein expression levels was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. The relationship between protein expression levels and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed using the Chi-squared test. A survival curve was generated using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

RESULTS

TGFβ-1 and VEGFR-1 expression was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer tissue compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissue. The positive expression of phosphorylated isoforms of Smad3 varied depending on the phosphorylation site [pSMAD3C(S423/425): 51.0% and pSMAD3L(S204): 31.6%]. High expression of pSMAD3L(S204) was significantly correlated with larger tumors (P = 0.038) and later N stages (P = 0.035). Additionally, high expression of VEGFR-1 was closely correlated with tumor size (P = 0.015) and pathological grading (P = 0.013). High expression of both pSMAD3L(S204) and VEGFR-1 was associated with unfavorable outcomes in terms of overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis indicated that high expression of pSMAD3L(S204) and VEGFR-1 were independent risk factors for prognosis in GC patients. VEGFR-1 protein expression was correlated with TGF-β1 (r = 0.220, P = 0.029), pSMAD3C(S423/425) (r = 0.302, P = 0.002), and pSMAD3L(S204) (r = 0.201, P = 0.047), respectively. Simultaneous overexpression of pSMAD3L(S204) and VEGFR-1 was associated with poor OS in gastric cancer patients.

CONCLUSION

Co-upregulation of pSMAD3L(S204) and VEGFR-1 can serve as a predictive marker for poor gastric cancer prognosis, and pSMAD3L(204) may be involved in enhanced gastric cancer metastasis in a VEGFR-1-dependent manner.

Recent advances of anti-angiogenic inhibitors targeting VEGF/VEGFR axis

Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) and their downstream signaling pathways are promising targets in anti-angiogenic therapy. They constitute a crucial system to regulate physiological and pathological angiogenesis. In the last 20 years, many anti-angiogenic drugs have been developed based on VEGF/VEGFR system to treat diverse cancers and retinopathies, and new drugs with improved properties continue to emerge at a fast rate. They consist of different molecular structures and characteristics, which enable them to inhibit the interaction of VEGF/VEGFR, to inhibit the activity of VEGFR tyrosine kinase (TK), or to inhibit VEGFR downstream signaling. In this paper, we reviewed the development of marketed anti-angiogenic drugs involved in the VEGF/VEGFR axis, as well as some important drug candidates in clinical trials. We discuss their mode of action, their clinical benefits, and the current challenges that will need to be addressed by the next-generation of anti-angiogenic drugs. We focus on the molecular structures and characteristics of each drug, including those approved only in China.

Time-resolved single-cell transcriptomics defines immune trajectories in glioblastoma

Deciphering the cell-state transitions underlying immune adaptation across time is fundamental for advancing biology. Empirical in vivo genomic technologies that capture cellular dynamics are currently lacking. We present Zman-seq, a single-cell technology recording transcriptomic dynamics across time by introducing time stamps into circulating immune cells, tracking them in tissues for days. Applying Zman-seq resolved cell-state and molecular trajectories of the dysfunctional immune microenvironment in glioblastoma. Within 24 hours of tumor infiltration, cytotoxic natural killer cells transitioned to a dysfunctional program regulated by TGFB1 signaling. Infiltrating monocytes differentiated into immunosuppressive macrophages, characterized by the upregulation of suppressive myeloid checkpoints Trem2, Il18bp, and Arg1, over 36 to 48 hours. Treatment with an antagonistic anti-TREM2 antibody reshaped the tumor microenvironment by redirecting the monocyte trajectory toward pro-inflammatory macrophages. Zman-seq is a broadly applicable technology, enabling empirical measurements of differentiation trajectories, which can enhance the development of more efficacious immunotherapies.

Interleukin-30 subverts prostate cancer-endothelium crosstalk by fostering angiogenesis and activating immunoregulatory and oncogenic signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Cancer-endothelial interplay is crucial for tumor behavior, yet the molecular mechanisms involved are largely unknown. Interleukin(IL)-30, which is expressed as a membrane-anchored cytokine by human prostate cancer (PC) cells, promotes PC vascularization and progression, but the underlying mechanisms have yet to be fully explored.

METHODS

PC-endothelial cell (EC) interactions were investigated, after coculture, by flow cytometry, transcriptional profiling, western blot, and ELISA assays. Proteome profiler phospho-kinase array unveiled the molecular pathways involved. The role of tumor-derived IL30 on the endothelium's capacity to generate autocrine circuits and vascular budding was determined following IL30 overexpression, by gene transfection, or its deletion by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Clinical value of the experimental findings was determined through immunopathological study of experimental and patient-derived PC samples, and bioinformatics of gene expression profiles from PC patients.

RESULTS

Contact with PC cells favors EC proliferation and production of angiogenic and angiocrine factors, which are boosted by PC expression of IL30, that feeds autocrine loops, mediated by IGF1, EDN1, ANG and CXCL10, and promotes vascular budding and inflammation, via phosphorylation of multiple signaling proteins, such as Src, Yes, STAT3, STAT6, RSK1/2, c-Jun, AKT and, primarily CREB, GSK-3α/β, HSP60 and p53. Deletion of the IL30 gene in PC cells inhibits endothelial expression of IGF1, EDN1, ANG and CXCL10 and substantially impairs tumor angiogenesis. In its interaction with IL30-overexpressing PC cells the endothelium boosts their expression of a wide range of immunity regulatory genes, including CCL28, CCL4, CCL5, CCR2, CCR7, CXCR4, IL10, IL13, IL17A, FASLG, IDO1, KITLG, TNFA, TNFSF10 and PDCD1, and cancer driver genes, including BCL2, CCND2, EGR3, IL6, VEGFA, KLK3, PTGS1, LGALS4, GNRH1 and SHBG. Immunopathological analyses of PC xenografts and in silico investigation of 1116 PC cases, from the Prostate Cancer Transcriptome Atlas, confirmed the correlation between the expression of IL30 and that of both pro-inflammatory genes, NOS2, TNFA, CXCR5 and IL12B, and cancer driver genes, LGALS4, GNRH1 and SHBG, which was validated in a cohort of 80 PC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

IL30 regulates the crosstalk between PC and EC and reshapes their transcriptional profiles, triggering angiogenic, immunoregulatory and oncogenic gene expression programs. These findings highlight the angiostatic and oncostatic efficacy of targeting IL30 to fight PC.

Design, synthesis, and antitumor screening of new thiazole, thiazolopyrimidine, and thiazolotriazine derivatives as potent inhibitors of VEGFR-2

New thiazole, thiazolopyrimidine, and thiazolotriazine derivatives 3-12 and 14a-f were synthesized. The newly synthesized analogs were tested for in vitro antitumor activity against HepG2, HCT-116, MCF-7, HeP-2, and Hela cancer cells. Results indicated that compound 5 displayed the highest potency toward the tested cancer cells. Compound 11b possessed enhanced effectiveness over MCF-7, HepG2, HCT-116, and Hela cancer cells. In addition, compounds 4 and 6 showed promising activity toward HCT-116, MCF-7, and Hela cancer cells and eminent activity against HepG2 and HeP-2 cells. Moreover, compounds 3-6 and 11b were tested for their capability to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) activity. The obtained results showed that compound 5 displayed significant inhibitory activity against VEGFR-2 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50 ] = 0.044 μM) comparable to sunitinib (IC50  = 0.100 μM). Also, the synthesized compounds 3-6 and 11b were subjected to in vitro cytotoxicity tests over WI38 and WISH normal cells. It was found that the five tested compounds displayed significantly lower cytotoxicity than doxorubicin toward normal cell lines. Cell cycle analysis proved that compound 5 induces cell cycle arrest in the S phase for HCT-116 and Hela cancer cell lines and in the G2/M phase for the MCF-7 cancer cell line. Moreover, compound 5 induced cancer cell death through apoptosis accompanied by a high ratio of BAX/BCL-2 in the screened cancer cells. Furthermore, docking results revealed that compound 5 showed the essential interaction bonds with VEGFR-2, which agreed with in vitro enzyme assay results. In silico studies showed that most of the analyzed compounds complied with the requirements of good oral bioavailability with minimal toxicity threats in humans.

Exploring the pharmacological versatility of ficus carica: Modulating classical immunometabolism and beyond

The burden of metabolic disorders is alarmingly increasing globally. On the other hand, sustainability is the key project of the 21st century. Natural products offer a coherent option for the complementary management of both these challenges. Ficus carica (FC), commonly known as the fig fruit, has an experimentally proven potency for the modulation of cell cycle, immunity, inflammation, metabolism, and oxidative stress. Here, we review the potential of FC-derived products (FCDP) in slowing down the progression of cancers, acute/chronic inflammation-related conditions, infections, metabolic disorders, toxicities, neurological and neuromuscular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, vascular diseases, and skin-stressing conditions, as well as, in boosting normal healthy functions of the endocrine, immune, metabolic, and nervous systems. It reveals a variety of cellular and molecular targets for FCDP: cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, IFN-γ), chemokines (CCL2), other inflammatory mediators (CRP, PGE2), immune receptors (TLR-2, TLR-4, FcεRI), oxidative stress-related markers (SOD, GSH, MDA, GPx, catalase, ROS, NO, protein carbonyls), kinases (MAPKs, hexokinase, G6Pase, FBPase, PEPCK, Akt, AMPK, GSK3, CDKs), other enzymes (COX-2, iNOS, MMPs, caspases), growth factors/receptors (VEGF, EGFR), hormones (DHEAS, prolactin, GnRH, FSH, LH, estradiol, DHT, insulin), cell death-related markers (Bcl-2, Bax, Bak, FasL, gasdermins, cytochrome C), glucose transporter protein (Glut4), and transcription factors (NF-κB, HNF-4α, Foxo, PGC-1α, PPAR-γ, C/EBP-α, CREB, NFATC1, STAT3). FCDP cause both activation and inhibition of AMPK, MAPK, and NF-κB signaling to confer condition-specific advantages. Such a broad-range activity might be attributed to different mechanisms of action of FCDP in modulating functions within the classical immunometabolic system, but also beyond.

Fisetin induces the upregulation of AKAP12 mRNA and anti-angiogenesis in a patient-derived organoid xenograft model

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with high incidence and mortality rates. Targeted therapies for CRC cause various adverse effects, necessitating the development of novel approaches to control CRC progression. In this milieu, we investigated the anti-CRC effects of fisetin, a natural plant flavonoid. Cytotoxicity was performed in CRC patient-derived organoids (30 T and 33 T). Fisetin-induced tumor growth was evaluated in a CRC patient-derived organoid xenograft (PDOX) model. RNA sequencing, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting were performed subsequently. Fisetin significantly decreased organoid viability in a dose-dependent manner. In the PDOX model, fisetin significantly delayed tumor growth, showing a decrease in Ki-67 expression and the induction of apoptosis. In tumor tissues, four genes were identified as differentially expressed between the control and fisetin-treated groups. Among these, A-kinase anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12) level was significantly increased by fisetin treatment (fold change > 2, p < 0.05). Notably, fisetin significantly inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) via upregulation of AKAP12. Our results demonstrate the upregulation of AKAP12 mRNA and inhibition of angiogenesis by fisetin as a therapeutic strategy against CRC.

Angiogenic systemic response to the hypoxic microenvironment in prostate tumorigenesis: A pilot study

The present paper aimed to investigate the altered angiogenetic mechanisms in hypoxic conditions in patients with prostate tumours, in correlation with common clinicopathologic variables. A case-control study was developed and included 87 patients with prostate tumours [40 diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 47 diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa), using prostate transrectal biopsy] and 40 healthy subjects. The following parameters were evaluated in the serum of volunteers: Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9, thrombospondin (TSP)-1 and soluble VEGF-1 receptor. Experimental data analysis demonstrated increasing amounts of inflammation in patients with PCa (IL-6, 18.1±4.7 ng/ml) and BPH (IL-6, 16.3±5.1 ng/ml) vs. control (IL-6, 4.1±1.2 ng/ml); overregulation of HIF1α in patients with PCa (129.3±21.8 ng/ml) compared with patients with BPH (65.6±18.2 ng/ml) and control (61.3±12.7 ng/ml); angiogenesis abnormalities in patients with PCa (upregulation of FGF-2, VEGF, MMP-2 and -9, suppression of TSP-1 and soluble VEGR-1) and BPH (upregulation FGF-2 and VEGF) compared with the control group. In conclusion, a greater understanding of the biological mechanism, the pathological roles and the clinical significance of various proangiogenic parameters and angiogenic-suppressor proteins seem useful in clinical practice for establishing an early diagnosis of prostate pathology and finding an individualized therapeutic approach.

Eupatorin from Orthosiphon aristatus: A Review of The Botanical Origin, Pharmacological Effects and Isolation Methods

Abstract:

Orthosiphon aristatus has been known for its medicinal uses. One of the compounds responsible for the pharmacological activities of O. aristatus is a flavonoid called Eupatorin (EUP). EUP has been studied for its pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, vasodilating, antiproliferative, hepatoprotective, analgesic, and antidiabetic properties. Despite its importance and abundance, currently, there is no published paper that reviews the characteristics, pharmacological activities and isolation methods of EUP. This review summarizes the botanical origin, phytochemical characteristics, pharmacological activities, isolation, as well as identification and characterization methods of EUP from O. aristatus. This paper also compares different isolation methods based on the parameters and the resulting yields. Various isolation methods had been used to obtain EUP. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the most commonly used method to isolate EUP, followed by preparative thin layer chromatography (TLC) and crystallization for the purification. Various spectroscopic methods, including UV-Vis, FT-IR, Mass, and NMR spectroscopy have been commonly used to identify and characterize EUP. This paper provides a comprehensive insight into EUP from O. aristatus which might be beneficial for future research using this compound.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-D (VEGF-D): An Angiogenesis Bypass in Malignant Tumors

Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) are the key regulators of vasculogenesis in normal and oncological development. VEGF-A is the most studied angiogenic factor secreted by malignant tumor cells under hypoxic and inflammatory stress, which made VEGF-A a rational target for anticancer therapy. However, inhibition of VEGF-A by monoclonal antibody drugs led to the upregulation of VEGF-D. VEGF-D was primarily described as a lymphangiogenic factor; however, VEGF-D's blood angiogenic potential comparable to VEGF-A has already been demonstrated in glioblastoma and colorectal carcinoma. These findings suggested a role for VEGF-D in facilitating malignant tumor growth by bypassing the anti-VEGF-A antiangiogenic therapy. Owing to its high mitogenic ability, higher affinity for VEGFR-2, and higher expression in cancer, VEGF-D might even be a stronger angiogenic driver and, hence, a better therapeutic target than VEGF-A. In this review, we summarized the angiogenic role of VEGF-D in blood vasculogenesis and its targetability as an antiangiogenic therapy in cancer.

Interaction Between Blood Vasculatures and Lymphatic Vasculatures During Inflammation

Physiological activity cannot be regulated without the blood and lymphatic vasculatures, which play complementary roles in maintaining the body's homeostasis and immune responses. Inflammation is the body's initial response to pathological injury and is responsible for protecting the body, removing damaged tissues, and restoring and maintaining homeostasis in the body. A growing number of researches have shown that blood and lymphatic vessels play an essential role in a variety of inflammatory diseases. In the inflammatory state, the permeability of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels is altered, and angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis subsequently occur. The blood vascular and lymphatic vascular systems interact to determine the development or resolution of inflammation. In this review, we discuss the changes that occur in the blood vascular and lymphatic vascular systems of several organs during inflammation, describe the different scenarios of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis at different sites of inflammation, and demonstrate the prospect of targeting the blood vasculature and lymphatic vasculature systems to limit the development of inflammation and promote the resolution of inflammation in inflammatory diseases.