Sex steroid-dependent angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2005 Feb;93(2-5):161-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2004.12.021. Epub 2005 Jan 26.

Abstract

In general, tumors induce angiogenic factors specific to them, which leads to angiogenesis with advancement. However, angiogenesis in uterine endometrial cancers is complicated because hormone dependency in growth also modifies the angiogenic potential. Therefore, anti-angiogenic therapy for tumor dormancy in uterine endometrial cancers must be thoroughly considered. The upstream of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene conserves estrogen-responsive elements. Progesterone primed with estrogen induces thymidine phosphorylase (TP) in uterine endometrium. Sex steroid-dependent VEGF and TP are highly expressed in cases of early stage and well-differentiated uterine endometrial cancers, and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in cases of advanced and poorly differentiated uterine endometrial cancers. A transcriptional factor for angiogenesis, ETS-1, is linked to VEGF in well-differentiated uterine endometrial cancers, and to bFGF in poorly differentiated uterine endometrial cancers. Therefore, even if dedifferentiation and angiogenic switching occur due to advancement and long-term hormone therapy, the inhibition of ETS-1 along with main angiogenic factors might be an effective strategy to suppress uterine endometrial cancers as a novel anti-angiogenic therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Female
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / blood supply*
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / etiology*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets
  • Thymidine Phosphorylase / biosynthesis
  • Thymidine Phosphorylase / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • ETS1 protein, human
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ets
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • Thymidine Phosphorylase