Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 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

Moving beyond VEGF for anti-angiogenesis strategies in gynecologic cancer

Duangmani Thanapprapasr1, Wei Hu, Anil K Sood

  • 1Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1155 Herman Pressler Dr. CPB 6.3271, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|March 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Gynecologic cancers involve key molecular targets like focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and enhancer of Zeste homologue 2 (EZH2). Targeting these may offer new therapeutic options for improving patient survival.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Gynecologic cancers represent a significant global health burden, causing nearly half a million deaths annually.
  • Understanding cancer's molecular underpinnings is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic targets.
  • Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is implicated in cancer cell survival, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of novel molecular targets in gynecologic cancer pathogenesis.
  • To explore the involvement of FAK, EZH2, Dll4/notch, and EphA2 in tumor angiogenesis.
  • To provide a rationale for the clinical development of these targets.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on FAK, EZH2, Dll4/notch, and EphA2 in gynecologic cancers.
  • Analysis of the role of these targets in cancer cell biology and angiogenesis.
  • Synthesis of evidence supporting their potential as therapeutic targets.

Main Results:

  • Elevated FAK expression or activation is observed in various human cancers, correlating with patient survival.
  • FAK plays a role in the pathogenesis of ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers.
  • EZH2, Dll4/notch, and EphA2 are identified as key regulators of endothelial cell biology and angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • FAK, EZH2, Dll4/notch, and EphA2 are promising molecular targets in gynecologic oncology.
  • Targeting these pathways could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for gynecologic cancers.
  • Further clinical investigation is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of targeting these molecules.

More Related Videos

Preparation Of Neovascular Tissues from Human Glioma Tissues for Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Tumor Angiogenesis09:33

Preparation Of Neovascular Tissues from Human Glioma Tissues for Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Tumor Angiogenesis

Published on: March 20, 2026

Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells09:03

Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells

Published on: November 23, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
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...
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...
Mechanism of Angiogenesis01:10

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.