Stimulation of tumor growth and angiogenesis by low concentrations of RGD-mimetic integrin inhibitors

AR Reynolds, IR Hart, AR Watson, JC Welti, RG Silva… - Nature medicine, 2009 - nature.com
AR Reynolds, IR Hart, AR Watson, JC Welti, RG Silva, SD Robinson, G Da Violante…
Nature medicine, 2009nature.com
Inhibitors of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrin have entered clinical trials as antiangiogenic agents for
cancer treatment but generally have been unsuccessful. Here we present in vivo evidence
that low (nanomolar) concentrations of RGD-mimetic αvβ3 and αvβ5 inhibitors can
paradoxically stimulate tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis. We show that low
concentrations of these inhibitors promote VEGF-mediated angiogenesis by altering αvβ3
integrin and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 trafficking, thereby promoting …
Abstract
Inhibitors of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrin have entered clinical trials as antiangiogenic agents for cancer treatment but generally have been unsuccessful. Here we present in vivo evidence that low (nanomolar) concentrations of RGD-mimetic αvβ3 and αvβ5 inhibitors can paradoxically stimulate tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis. We show that low concentrations of these inhibitors promote VEGF-mediated angiogenesis by altering αvβ3 integrin and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 trafficking, thereby promoting endothelial cell migration to VEGF. The proangiogenic effects of low concentrations of RGD-mimetic integrin inhibitors could compromise their efficacy as anticancer agents and have major implications for the use of RGD-mimetic compounds in humans.
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