Targeting Inside-Out Phospholipids on Tumor Blood Vessels in Pancreatic Cancer

Adam W. Beck, Rolf A. Brekken, Philip E. Thorpe

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Vascular targeting is currently being explored as a new therapy for pancreatic cancer, and a promising new target is phosphatidylserine (PS). PS is an anionic phospholipid normally located on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. Oxidative stress in the microenvironment of tumors causes PS exposure on the surface of endothelial cells. PS-positive endothelial cells are functional and not apoptotic. PS is absent from the endothelium of normal tissues, and is therefore a highly specific marker of tumor vessels. The antibody 3G4 binds PS and inhibits growth of a variety of tumors in mice. Here we highlight 3G4 as a treatment of pancreatic cancer in a mouse model. Inhibition of primary tumor growth and metastases at all sites was significant with 3G4 alone, and significantly enhanced by combination with gemcitabine. Thus, the combination of PS-targeting and gemcitabine might be an effective new drug combination for treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationVascular-Targeted Therapies in Oncology
PublisherJohn Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Pages179-194
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)9780470012949
DOIs
StatePublished - May 31 2006

Keywords

  • Combination therapy on metastasis
  • Enhanced antitumor effect of combination therapy
  • Inside-out phospholipids in pancreatic cancer
  • PS exposure on tumor endothelium
  • Pancreatic adenocarcinoma
  • Phosphatidylserine (PS) - anionic phospholipid
  • Vascular targeting
  • Vascular-targeting agents (VTAs)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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