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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
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Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1

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Inhibition of ovarian tumor growth by gene therapy with recombinant soluble vascular endothelial growth factor

Ying Wu1, Zheng-Yu Li, Xia Zhao

  • 1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China.

Human Gene Therapy
|September 16, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Gene therapy using recombinant soluble Flk-1 adenovirus effectively inhibits ovarian tumor growth by suppressing angiogenesis and inducing apoptosis. Combining this gene therapy with DDP enhances its antitumor efficacy in preclinical models.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Gene Therapy
  • Angiogenesis Research

Background:

  • Solid tumor growth and metastasis depend on angiogenesis.
  • Targeting angiogenesis is a promising anti-tumor therapy strategy.
  • Soluble VEGFR-2 (sFlk-1) may act as a dominant negative receptor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effects of sFlk-1 on SKOV3 cell growth in vitro.
  • To investigate the efficacy of recombinant soluble Flk-1 adenovirus (ad-sFlk-1) in inhibiting ovarian tumor growth in vivo.
  • To evaluate the combination therapy of ad-sFlk-1 and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (DDP).

Main Methods:

  • In vitro assessment of sFlk-1 on SKOV3 cell growth.
  • In vivo study using a SKOV3 ovarian tumor nude murine model.
  • Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor growth inhibition, microvessel density, and apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • sFlk-1 showed minimal effect on tumor cell growth in vitro.
  • ad-sFlk-1 significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo (p < 0.05).
  • ad-sFlk-1 suppressed angiogenesis and induced apoptosis, with enhanced efficacy when combined with DDP.

Conclusions:

  • Gene therapy with ad-sFlk-1 is an effective anti-angiogenesis strategy.
  • ad-sFlk-1 demonstrates potential for ovarian cancer treatment.
  • Further exploration and clinical trials of ad-sFlk-1 are warranted.

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