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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
07:59

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

Published on: December 5, 2020

Functional significance of VEGFR-2 on ovarian cancer cells

Whitney A Spannuth1, Alpa M Nick, Nicholas B Jennings

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

International Journal of Cancer
|December 6, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) is active in ovarian cancer cells, driving migration and invasion. Targeting VEGFR-2 with specific antibodies shows significant anti-tumor effects by reducing growth and increasing apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) presence on ovarian cancer cells was noted, but its functional role remained unclear.
  • VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 expression varies in ovarian cancer cell lines and patient specimens.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional significance of VEGFR in ovarian cancer.
  • To evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy of VEGFR-2 targeted therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Protein analysis and in situ hybridization (ISH) to assess VEGFR expression in cell lines and human specimens.
  • Immunofluorescence to detect VEGFR-2 in normal and cancerous ovarian tissues.
  • In vivo studies using nude mice xenograft models treated with VEGFR-2 specific antibodies (1121B and DC101).

Main Results:

  • VEGFR-2 was highly expressed in 85% of ovarian cancer specimens, unlike VEGFR-1 (15%).
  • VEGFR-2 targeted therapy (1121B) significantly reduced ovarian cancer cell migration (68%) and invasion (72%).
  • In vivo, VEGFR-2 antibodies (DC101, 1121B) inhibited tumor growth, increased apoptosis, decreased proliferation, and reduced microvessel density.

Conclusions:

  • Functionally active VEGFR-2 is present on most ovarian cancer cells.
  • VEGF-targeted therapies exhibit anti-tumor activity through both anti-angiogenic and direct anti-tumor mechanisms.
  • Targeting VEGFR-2 represents a promising therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer.

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