Thema: Presse: VEGF-blocking peptide has anti-cancer potential
Presse: VEGF-blocking peptide has anti-cancer potential
Torsten[a]
13.08.2004 17:08:48
VEGF-blocking peptide has anti-cancer potential
Chinese researchers have identified a short peptide that blocks certain vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors and may offer potential for fighting tumor growth and metastasis.
Dr. Chengchao Shou of Peking University School of Oncology and colleagues used a phage display library to screen for peptides that block the binding of VEGF to its receptor Flt-1.
One of the peptides identified, F56, almost completely blocked in vitro VEGF binding to Flt-1, and inhibited angiogenesis in a chorioallantoic membrane assay, they report in the August 20th issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
F56 also slowed the spread of gastric tumors implanted in nude mice and enhanced tumor necrosis, and the peptide suppressed the growth and lung metastasis of human breast carcinoma cells implanted in immunodeficient mice.
Dr. Shou and colleagues note that large molecules being investigated to block VEGF face obstacles to clinical use, including their high cost and difficulty of administration. Short peptides such as F56 may avoid these problems.
Placental growth factor (PIGF) is also an Flt-1 ligand, Dr. Shou and colleagues point out, and recent findings show that PIGF and VEGF work together to promote pathological new blood vessel growth by immobilizing bone-marrow-derived precursor cells.
"Based on these facts, F56, as an Flt-1 antagonist, may block the binding of both VEGF and PIGF to Flt-1 and thus develop more efficient anti-angiogenic effects through impairing recruitment of bone marrow progenitor cells," they explain.
"Disruption of Flt-1-related pathways may be an important alternative in cancer therapy," they conclude.
Reuters Health
Posted: August 11, 2004
Chinese researchers have identified a short peptide that blocks certain vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors and may offer potential for fighting tumor growth and metastasis.
Dr. Chengchao Shou of Peking University School of Oncology and colleagues used a phage display library to screen for peptides that block the binding of VEGF to its receptor Flt-1.
One of the peptides identified, F56, almost completely blocked in vitro VEGF binding to Flt-1, and inhibited angiogenesis in a chorioallantoic membrane assay, they report in the August 20th issue of the International Journal of Cancer.
F56 also slowed the spread of gastric tumors implanted in nude mice and enhanced tumor necrosis, and the peptide suppressed the growth and lung metastasis of human breast carcinoma cells implanted in immunodeficient mice.
Dr. Shou and colleagues note that large molecules being investigated to block VEGF face obstacles to clinical use, including their high cost and difficulty of administration. Short peptides such as F56 may avoid these problems.
Placental growth factor (PIGF) is also an Flt-1 ligand, Dr. Shou and colleagues point out, and recent findings show that PIGF and VEGF work together to promote pathological new blood vessel growth by immobilizing bone-marrow-derived precursor cells.
"Based on these facts, F56, as an Flt-1 antagonist, may block the binding of both VEGF and PIGF to Flt-1 and thus develop more efficient anti-angiogenic effects through impairing recruitment of bone marrow progenitor cells," they explain.
"Disruption of Flt-1-related pathways may be an important alternative in cancer therapy," they conclude.
Reuters Health
Posted: August 11, 2004
Torsten[a]
