A VEGF-dependent gene signature enriched in mesenchymal ovarian cancer predicts patient prognosis

Sci Rep. 2016 Aug 8:6:31079. doi: 10.1038/srep31079.

Abstract

We have previously reported surrogate biomarkers of VEGF pathway activities with the potential to provide predictive information for anti-VEGF therapies. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate a new VEGF-dependent gene signature (VDGs) in relation to molecular subtypes of ovarian cancer and patient prognosis. Using microarray profiling and cross-species analysis, we identified 140-gene mouse VDGs and corresponding 139-gene human VDGs, which displayed enrichment of vasculature and basement membrane genes. In patients who received bevacizumab therapy and showed partial response, the expressions of VDGs (summarized to yield VDGs scores) were markedly decreased in post-treatment biopsies compared with pre-treatment baselines. In contrast, VDGs scores were not significantly altered following bevacizumab treatment in patients with stable or progressive disease. Analysis of VDGs in ovarian cancer showed that VDGs as a prognostic signature was able to predict patient outcome. Correlation estimation of VDGs scores and molecular features revealed that VDGs was overrepresented in mesenchymal subtype and BRCA mutation carriers. These findings highlighted the prognostic role of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis in ovarian cancer, and proposed a VEGF-dependent gene signature as a molecular basis for developing novel diagnostic strategies to aid patient selection for VEGF-targeted agents.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Bevacizumab / pharmacology
  • Bevacizumab / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms, Cystic, Mucinous, and Serous / mortality
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / drug therapy
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / genetics
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / mortality
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prognosis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Bevacizumab