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Inducible nitric oxide synthase-vascular endothelial growth factor axis: a potential target to inhibit tumor

Rana P Singh1, Rajesh Agarwal

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 80262, USA.

Current Cancer Drug Targets
|August 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Dietary components can inhibit tumor growth by targeting angiogenesis, a process crucial for tumor progression. These food compounds influence epigenetic pathways, impacting the iNOS-VEGF axis for cancer prevention and intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Tumor growth and metastasis are critically dependent on angiogenesis.
  • Targeting tumor angiogenesis is a promising strategy for cancer treatment and prevention.
  • Bioactive food components show potential in suppressing tumor angiogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) axis in tumor angiogenesis.
  • To explore how dietary components can target this axis to inhibit tumor growth.
  • To highlight the potential of food components in cancer prevention and intervention.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent experimental and clinical studies.
  • Analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-angiogenic effects of food components.
  • Focus on epigenetic targets such as iNOS and COX-2.

Main Results:

  • Bioactive food components can suppress tumor angiogenesis through direct effects on tumor cells and vascular endothelial cells.
  • These components target epigenetic processes, including the iNOS-VEGF axis.
  • Inhibition of iNOS and potentially COX-2 by food components contributes to anti-angiogenic effects.

Conclusions:

  • The iNOS-VEGF axis is a key target for anti-angiogenic therapies.
  • Dietary components offer a practical approach to modulate this axis for cancer prevention.
  • Further research into the anti-angiogenic potential of food components could lead to novel cancer interventions.

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