Inhibition of fibroblast growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor activity in glioma cells impedes tumor growth by both angiogenesis-dependent and -independent mechanisms

Cancer Res. 2001 Feb 15;61(4):1717-26.

Abstract

We undertook a series of systematic studies to address the role of fibroblast growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGF/FGFR) activity in tumor growth and angiogenesis. We expressed dominant-negative FGFR2 (FGFR2-DN) or FGFR1 (FGFR1-DN) in glioma C6 cells by using constitutive or tetracycline-regulated expression systems. Anchorage-dependent or independent growth was inhibited in FGFR-DN-expressing cells. Tumor development after xenografting FGFR-DN-expressing cells in immunodeficient mice or after transplantation in rat brain was strongly inhibited. Quantification of microvessels demonstrated a significant decrease in vessel density in tumors derived from FGFR-DN-expressing cells. Furthermore, in a rabbit corneal assay, the angiogenic response after implantation of FGFR-DN-expressing cells was decreased. In tumors expressing FGFR-DN, vascular endothelial growth factor expression was strongly inhibited as compared with control tumor. These results indicate that inhibition of FGF activity may constitute a dominant therapeutic strategy in the treatment of FGF-producing cerebral malignancies and may disrupt both angiogenesis-dependent and -independent signals required for glioma growth and invasion.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / biosynthesis
  • Endothelial Growth Factors / genetics
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / biosynthesis
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / genetics
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 4
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / biosynthesis
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / genetics
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Glioma / blood supply*
  • Glioma / genetics
  • Glioma / metabolism
  • Glioma / pathology*
  • Lymphokines / biosynthesis
  • Lymphokines / genetics
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology*
  • Phenotype
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / biosynthesis
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / genetics
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / physiology
  • Tetracycline / pharmacology
  • Transfection
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Substances

  • Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Fgf4 protein, mouse
  • Fgf4 protein, rat
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 4
  • Lymphokines
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Fgfr1 protein, mouse
  • Fgfr1 protein, rat
  • Fgfr2 protein, mouse
  • Fgfr2 protein, rat
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2
  • Tetracycline