The new research showed that by blocking enzymes in the PIP2 recycling series, the series that turns PIP2 into inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol and back to PIP2, they can stop angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels).
A new strategy is in development to stop the growth of blood vessels that promote tumor growth in rats. The process involves disabling key enzymes that cause and sustain the new vessel growth. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health(NIH) and other institutions have been working on the new strategy in hopes of developing a new way to treat cancer. The study appeared in Nature Communications and was lead by Brant M. Weinstein.
The new research showed that by blocking enzymes in the PIP2 recycling series, the series that turns PIP2 into inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol and back to PIP2, they can stop angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels).
Studies first were able to stop the process of vessel growth with this method in human cell cultures and zebrafish embryos. Then, mice were given an enzyme recycling blocking drug. Results showed mice that were administered the drug showed less tumor and blood vessel growth than non-treated mice.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a factor in angiogenesis, was
previously targeted with antibodies or drugs to prevent binding, which begins a sequence of chemical reactions inside the cells lining the inside of blood vessels, resulting in new vessel growth.
Unfortunately, tumors responded by producing more VEGF. The development of this new strategy overcomes previous limitations and could lead to better cancer treatment strategies.
