Title:Moving Beyond VEGF for Anti-angiogenesis Strategies in Gynecologic Cancer
Volume: 18
Issue: 19
Author(s): Duangmani Thanapprapasr, Wei Hu, Anil K Sood and Robert L Coleman
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Focal adhesion kinase, EZH2, Dll4/notch, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cervix cancer, angiogenesis, endothelial cells, gynecologic cancer, polycomb group protein
Abstract: Gynecologic cancer is a major burden in both developed and developing countries. Almost a half million deaths from gynecologic
cancer are reported each year. Understanding the molecular biology of cancer is a principle resource leading to the identification of
new potential therapeutic targets, which may be parlayed into novel therapeutic options in gynecologic cancer. Focal adhesion kinase
(FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, which plays a pivotal role in many aspects of malignant growth including cancer cell survival,
migration, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis. Various human cancer tissues have demonstrated high expression of FAK or activated
FAK, which has been correlated with survival of cancer patients. Among gynecologic cancers, reports have emerged demonstrating that
FAK is involved in the pathogenesis of ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers. In addition, the polycomb group protein enhancer of
Zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), Dll4/notch and EphA2 has also emerged as important regulators of endothelial cell biology and angiogenesis.
Herein, we review the role of these new targets in tumor angiogenesis and the rationale for further clinical development.
