Related Experiment Videos
Targeting angiogenic pathways involving tumor-stromal interaction to treat advanced human prostate cancer
1Department of Urology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA.
Abstract:
Interfering with and preventing tumor angiogenesis is an attractive therapeutic approach for treating cancer metastases. This commentary presents treatment strategies that may enhance the effectiveness of anti-angiogenic therapy by selectively targeting newly sprouting and immature vessels, inhibiting the production of angiogenic factors, and disrupting extracellular matrices. We propose several clinical paradigms, including hormonal ablation, intermittent androgen suppression, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, that 'injure' nascent vasculature and interrupt the cancer cell-stromal relationship, thereby potentiating the efficacy of experimental anti-angiogenic agents. These stromal-epithelial interactions play an important role in the development, proliferation and dissemination of prostate cancer, as well as guiding the processes of tumor neovascularization. Successful utilization and targeting of tumor angiogenesis requires an increased understanding of tumor cell-stromal cell-endothelial cell relationships, most notably the intricate intracellular signalling cascades mediated by growth factors and the extracellular matrix.
Insights
Targeting tumor angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels in tumors, can enhance cancer metastasis treatment. Combining anti-angiogenic therapies with treatments like hormonal therapy may improve outcomes by injuring nascent vasculature.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Vascular Biology
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Tumor angiogenesis is crucial for cancer metastasis.
- Anti-angiogenic therapy is a promising cancer treatment strategy.
- Targeting tumor neovascularization requires understanding stromal-epithelial interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present strategies for enhancing anti-angiogenic therapy effectiveness.
- To explore clinical paradigms that potentiate anti-angiogenic agents.
- To highlight the role of stromal-epithelial interactions in prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Reviewing treatment strategies targeting newly sprouting vessels.
- Discussing inhibition of angiogenic factors and extracellular matrices.
- Proposing clinical paradigms including hormonal ablation and chemotherapy.
Main Results:
- Combining therapies can injure nascent vasculature and interrupt cancer cell-stromal relationships.
- Targeting immature vessels enhances anti-angiogenic therapy efficacy.
- Understanding cellular interactions is key to successful anti-angiogenesis targeting.
Conclusions:
- Interfering with tumor angiogenesis is a viable therapeutic approach.
- Combination therapies can potentiate experimental anti-angiogenic agents.
- Further research into cellular signaling is needed for optimal targeting.