Antiangiogenic and antitumor effects of SRC inhibition in ovarian carcinoma

Liz Y Han1, Charles N Landen, Jose G Trevino

  • 1Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.

Cancer Research
|September 5, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Src inhibition significantly reduced ovarian cancer tumor growth and proliferation in preclinical models. Combination therapy with docetaxel demonstrated potent antiangiogenic effects and tumor reduction, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Src, a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, is implicated in various cellular functions and frequently activated in solid tumors like ovarian carcinoma.
  • Aberrant Src activation contributes to tumor progression and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer.
  • Targeting Src offers a potential strategy for ovarian cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of activated Src inhibition in reducing tumor growth within an orthotopic murine model of ovarian carcinoma.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of Src inhibition, alone and in combination with docetaxel, in preclinical ovarian cancer models.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro studies utilized HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 ovarian cancer cell lines to assess Src inhibition kinetics and dose-dependency.
  • Cytotoxicity assays were performed to evaluate the combined effects of Src inhibition and docetaxel on chemosensitive and chemoresistant cells.
  • In vivo efficacy was assessed in orthotopic murine models using an orally bioavailable Src inhibitor (AP23994), with tumor burden, proliferation, angiogenesis markers, and vascular permeability evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Src inhibition by AP23846 was rapid and dose-dependent in vitro, enhancing docetaxel cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells.
  • In vivo, AP23994 significantly reduced tumor burden across multiple ovarian cancer models (HeyA8, SKOV3ip1, HeyA8-MDR).
  • Combination therapy with docetaxel yielded the greatest tumor reduction, significantly decreased proliferation, down-regulated VEGF and IL-8, reduced microvessel density, and affected vascular permeability.

Conclusions:

  • Src inhibition with AP23994 exhibits potent antiangiogenic properties and effectively reduces tumor burden in preclinical ovarian cancer models.
  • Combination therapy of Src inhibition and docetaxel demonstrates significant synergistic effects, highlighting its therapeutic potential.
  • Targeting Src represents a promising therapeutic avenue for patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma.

Related Concept Videos

Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...