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Updated: May 23, 2026

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
09:29

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies

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Norcantharidin anti-angiogenesis activity possibly through an endothelial cell pathway in human colorectal cancer

Tao Yu1, Fenggang Hou, Manman Liu

  • 1Department of Oncology, Shanghai Chinese Medical Hospital, Shanghai, China. yutao1986cn@yahoo.com.cn

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
|April 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Norcantharidin (NCTD) effectively inhibits human colon cancer angiogenesis in vivo. This compound reduces cancer cell migration, adhesion, and tube formation by impacting VEGF and VEGFR-2 protein levels.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Angiogenesis is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis in human colon cancer.
  • Norcantharidin (NCTD) was unexpectedly found to possess anti-angiogenic properties.
  • Understanding NCTD's anti-angiogenic mechanisms is vital for developing new cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To confirm and elucidate the anti-angiogenic effects of norcantharidin (NCTD) on human colon cancer.
  • To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of NCTD's action in vitro and in vivo.
  • To evaluate NCTD's efficacy in a human colon cancer xenograft model in nude mice.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo studies using a human colon cancer xenograft model in nude mice.
  • In vitro assays including crossing river, cell adhesion, and tube formation assays with HUVECs.
  • Western blotting analysis to assess the expression levels of VEGF and VEGFR-2 proteins.

Main Results:

  • Norcantharidin (5 or 15 mg/kg) significantly inhibited human colon cancer angiogenesis in vivo.
  • NCTD reduced the migration, adhesion, and vascular network tube formation of HUVECs in vitro.
  • Expression levels of VEGF and VEGFR-2 proteins were decreased by NCTD treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Norcantharidin demonstrates significant in vivo anti-angiogenic activity against human colon cancer.
  • NCTD's mechanism involves inhibiting HUVEC migration, adhesion, and tube formation.
  • The anti-angiogenic effects of NCTD are likely associated with reduced VEGF and VEGFR-2 protein expression.

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