Synergy between angiostatin and endostatin: inhibition of ovarian cancer growth

Y Yokoyama, M Dhanabal, AW Griffioen, VP Sukhatme… - Cancer research, 2000 - AACR
Y Yokoyama, M Dhanabal, AW Griffioen, VP Sukhatme, S Ramakrishnan
Cancer research, 2000AACR
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of fatality among gynecological malignancies. Ovarian
cancer growth is angiogenesis-dependent, and an increased production of angiogenic
growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor is prognostically significant even
during early stages of the disease. Therefore, we investigated whether antiangiogenic
treatment can be used to inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer in an experimental model
system. Mouse angiostatin (kringle 1–4) and endostatin were expressed in yeast. Purified …
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of fatality among gynecological malignancies. Ovarian cancer growth is angiogenesis-dependent, and an increased production of angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor is prognostically significant even during early stages of the disease. Therefore, we investigated whether antiangiogenic treatment can be used to inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer in an experimental model system. Mouse angiostatin (kringle 1–4) and endostatin were expressed in yeast. Purified angiostatin and endostatin were then used to treat established ovarian cancers in athymic mice. These studies showed that both angiostatin and endostatin inhibited tumor growth. However, angiostatin treatment was more effective in inhibiting ovarian cancer growth when compared with endostatin in parallel experiments. Residual tumors obtained from angiostatin- and endostatin-treated animals showed decreased number of blood vessels and, as a consequence, increased apoptosis of tumor cells. Subsequently, the efficacy of a combined treatment with angiostatin and endostatin was investigated. In the presence of both angiostatic proteins, endothelial cell proliferation was synergistically inhibited. Similarly, a combination regimen using equal amounts of angiostatin and endostatin showed more than additive effect in tumor growth inhibition when compared with treatment with individual angiostatic protein. These studies demonstrate synergism between two angiostatic molecules and that antiangiogenic therapy can be used to inhibit ovarian cancer growth.
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