Malignant mesothelioma growth inhibition by agents that target the VEGF and VEGF-C autocrine loops

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Generation and Expansion of Primary, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Tumor Lines
08:01

Generation and Expansion of Primary, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Tumor Lines

Published on: April 21, 2022

Rizwan Masood1, Ajay Kundra, SuTao Zhu

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA. masood@usc.edu

International Journal of Cancer
|February 21, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF-C simultaneously shows promise for treating malignant mesothelioma (MM). Novel agents inhibiting these factors effectively reduced MM cell growth in vitro, suggesting a new therapeutic strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer with limited treatment options and poor prognosis.
  • Conventional therapies offer minimal survival benefits, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and VEGF-C are implicated as autocrine growth factors in MM.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting VEGF and VEGF-C in malignant mesothelioma.
  • To assess the efficacy of novel agents that reduce VEGF and VEGF-C levels in inhibiting MM cell growth.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro assessment of novel agents targeting VEGF and VEGF-C.
  • Use of antisense oligonucleotide (ODN) to inhibit VEGF and VEGF-C expression.
  • Employing antibodies against VEGF receptor (VEGFR-2) and VEGF-C receptor (VEGFR-3).
  • Utilizing a diphtheria toxin-VEGF fusion protein (DT-VEGF).

Main Results:

  • Simultaneous inhibition of VEGF and VEGF-C expression by antisense ODN specifically inhibited MM cell growth.
  • Antibodies targeting VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 demonstrated synergistic inhibition of MM cell growth.
  • DT-VEGF effectively inhibited MM cell growth in vitro by targeting cells expressing VEGF receptors.

Conclusions:

  • Simultaneous targeting of VEGF and VEGF-C represents a promising therapeutic strategy for malignant mesothelioma.
  • Novel agents that inhibit VEGF and VEGF-C pathways warrant further investigation for MM treatment.
  • The findings suggest a potential new avenue for improving outcomes in malignant mesothelioma patients.

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