| PRO- & ANTI- ANGIOGENIC
VEGF ISOFORMS IN PROSTATE CANCER
Mr David Gillatt, Dr Steve Harper Bristol Urological Institute, Bristol |
The growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature (angiogenesis) is an absolute requirement for the survival and progression of prostate cancer. Indeed anti-angiogenic drugs are likely to be a major advance in “anti-cancer” therapy in the next few years. Most “anti-angiogenic” drugs developed thus far have been targeted at the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) family of polypeptides, VEGF in Prostate Cancer correlates with vascularity, pathological grade and, consequently, prognosis. VEGF exists in several “isoforms”.
The researchers have identified an “anti-angiogenic” isoform and shown that this is “down-regulated” or, turned off, in prostate cancer. If confirmed in future research this finding opens new therapeutic doors.
This project is continued in project 2003/06 where later information can be found.
Research summarised by Prostate Research Campaign UK. 05 June 2006.
Project G2002/06.