TEM5 Ligand Hunt

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Antiangiogenic agents that block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling are important components of current cancer treatmentmodalities but are limited by alternative ill-defined angiogenesismechanisms that allow persistent tumor vascularization in the face of continued VEGF pathway blockade. We identified prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as a soluble tumor-derived angiogenic factor associated with VEGF-independent angiogenesis. PGE2 production in preclinical breast and colon cancer models was tightly controlled by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, and COX-2 inhibition augmented VEGF pathway blockade to suppress angiogenesis and tumor growth, prevent metastasis, and increase overall survival. These results demonstrate the importance of the COX-2/PGE2 pathway inmediating resistance to VEGF pathway blockade and could aid in the rapid development of more efficacious anticancer therapies.