The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) is a tyrosine kinase receptor frequently expressed in melanoma. Its activation by VEGF-A or placental growth factor (PlGF) promotes tumour cell survival, migration and invasiveness. Moreover, VEGFR-1 stimulation contributes to pathological angiogenesis and induces recruitment of tumour-associated macrophages. Since melanoma acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) has been associated with activation of pro-angiogenic pathways, we have investigated VEGFR-1 involvement in vemurafenib resistance. Results indicate that human melanoma cells rendered resistant to vemurafenib secrete greater amounts of VEGF-A and express higher VEGFR-1 levels compared with their BRAFi-sensitive counterparts. Transient VEGFR-1 silencing in susceptible melanoma cells delays resistance development, whereas in resistant cells it increases sensitivity to the BRAFi. Consistently, enforced VEGFR-1 expression, by stable gene transfection in receptor-negative melanoma cells, markedly reduces sensitivity to vemurafenib. Moreover, melanoma cells expressing VEGFR-1 are more invasive than VEGFR-1 deficient cells and receptor blockade by a specific monoclonal antibody (D16F7 mAb) reduces extracellular matrix invasion triggered by VEGF-A and PlGF. These data suggest that VEGFR-1 up-regulation might contribute to melanoma progression and spreading after acquisition of a drug-resistant phenotype. Thus, VEGFR-1 inhibition with D16F7 mAb might be a suitable adjunct therapy for VEGFR-1 positive tumours with acquired resistance to vemurafenib.

Atzori, M.g., Ceci, C., Ruffini, F., Trapani, M., Barbaccia, M.l., Tentori, L., et al. (2020). Role of VEGFR-1 in melanoma acquired resistance to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib. JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, 24(1), 465-475 [10.1111/jcmm.14755].

Role of VEGFR-1 in melanoma acquired resistance to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib

Atzori M. G.;Ceci C.;Barbaccia M. L.;Tentori L.;Graziani G.
2020-01-01

Abstract

The vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) is a tyrosine kinase receptor frequently expressed in melanoma. Its activation by VEGF-A or placental growth factor (PlGF) promotes tumour cell survival, migration and invasiveness. Moreover, VEGFR-1 stimulation contributes to pathological angiogenesis and induces recruitment of tumour-associated macrophages. Since melanoma acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) has been associated with activation of pro-angiogenic pathways, we have investigated VEGFR-1 involvement in vemurafenib resistance. Results indicate that human melanoma cells rendered resistant to vemurafenib secrete greater amounts of VEGF-A and express higher VEGFR-1 levels compared with their BRAFi-sensitive counterparts. Transient VEGFR-1 silencing in susceptible melanoma cells delays resistance development, whereas in resistant cells it increases sensitivity to the BRAFi. Consistently, enforced VEGFR-1 expression, by stable gene transfection in receptor-negative melanoma cells, markedly reduces sensitivity to vemurafenib. Moreover, melanoma cells expressing VEGFR-1 are more invasive than VEGFR-1 deficient cells and receptor blockade by a specific monoclonal antibody (D16F7 mAb) reduces extracellular matrix invasion triggered by VEGF-A and PlGF. These data suggest that VEGFR-1 up-regulation might contribute to melanoma progression and spreading after acquisition of a drug-resistant phenotype. Thus, VEGFR-1 inhibition with D16F7 mAb might be a suitable adjunct therapy for VEGFR-1 positive tumours with acquired resistance to vemurafenib.
2020
Pubblicato
Rilevanza internazionale
Articolo
Esperti anonimi
Settore BIO/14 - FARMACOLOGIA
English
BRAF inhibitors; VEGF-A; VEGFR-1; angiogenesis; melanoma; vemurafenib
Atzori, M.g., Ceci, C., Ruffini, F., Trapani, M., Barbaccia, M.l., Tentori, L., et al. (2020). Role of VEGFR-1 in melanoma acquired resistance to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib. JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, 24(1), 465-475 [10.1111/jcmm.14755].
Atzori, Mg; Ceci, C; Ruffini, F; Trapani, M; Barbaccia, Ml; Tentori, L; D'Atri, S; Lacal, Pm; Graziani, G
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/226879
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