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Antiangiogenic activity of chemopreventive drugs
U Pfeffer1, N Ferrari, M Morini
1Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Research Institute, Genoa, Italy. ulrich.pfeffer@istge.it
Abstract:
Tumors growing within the host form dynamic aberrant tissue that consists of host components, including the stroma, an expanding vasculature and often chronic inflammation, in addition to the tumor cells themselves. These host components can contribute to, rather than limit, tumor expansion, whereas deprivation of vessel formation has the potential to confine tumors in small, clinically silent foci. Therapeutic inhibition of vessel formation could be best suited to preventive strategies aimed at the suppression of angiogenesis in primary tumors in subjects at risk, or of micrometastases after surgical removal of a primary tumor. Our analysis of potential cancer chemopreventive molecules including N-acetylcysteine, green tea flavonoids and 4-hydroxyphenyl-retinamide has identified antiangiogenic activities that could account--at least in part--for the tumor prevention effects observed with these compounds. These drugs appear to target common mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis that may permit identification of critical targets for antiangiogenic therapy and antiangiogenic chemoprevention.
Insights
Certain cancer chemopreventive molecules, like N-acetylcysteine, exhibit antiangiogenic properties. This suggests targeting tumor vessel formation (angiogenesis) is a viable strategy for cancer prevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Tumors comprise aberrant tissue including stroma, vasculature, and inflammation, which can promote tumor expansion.
- Inhibiting tumor vessel formation (angiogenesis) can potentially confine tumors to small, dormant states.
- Angiogenesis is a critical process in tumor growth and metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiangiogenic activities of potential cancer chemopreventive molecules.
- To explore the role of angiogenesis inhibition in cancer chemoprevention strategies.
- To identify common molecular targets for antiangiogenic therapy and chemoprevention.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cancer chemopreventive molecules, including N-acetylcysteine, green tea flavonoids, and 4-hydroxyphenyl-retinamide.
- Evaluation of the antiangiogenic potential of these compounds.
- Assessment of their effects on tumor angiogenesis mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Identified significant antiangiogenic activities in N-acetylcysteine, green tea flavonoids, and 4-hydroxyphenyl-retinamide.
- These activities partially explain the tumor prevention effects of these compounds.
- The compounds appear to target common pathways in tumor angiogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic inhibition of angiogenesis is a promising strategy for cancer prevention, particularly for high-risk individuals or after tumor removal.
- The identified chemopreventive molecules offer potential therapeutic targets for antiangiogenic therapy.
- Targeting common mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis can advance both antiangiogenic therapy and chemoprevention.