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Protein Kinase D2 Plays Crucial Role in Pancreatic Cancer Angiogenesis

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pancreatic cancer research has taken a significant leap forward with the discovery of Protein Kinase D2 (PKD2) as a crucial regulator of tumour cell-endothelial cell communication, particularly in gastrointestinal tumours. The study, conducted by researchers from Martin-Luther University in Germany, sheds light on the intricate mechanisms behind angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels form, fueling tumour growth. By examining the role of PKD2 in tumour proliferation and angiogenesis, the researchers have identified PKD2 as a novel therapeutic target to inhibit angiogenesis in gastrointestinal cancers.

Key Takeaways:

  • PKD2 is expressed in gastrointestinal tumours and the tumour-associated endothelium, playing a critical role in tumour cell-endothelial cell communication.
  • Tumour growth and angiogenesis in the chorioallantois model (CAM) and tumor xenografts require PKD expression in endothelial cells.
  • Hypoxia activates PKD2 in pancreatic cancer cells, and PKD2 was identified as the major mediator of hypoxia-stimulated VEGF-A promoter activity, expression, and secretion in tumor cells.
  • Depletion of PKD2 in pancreatic tumours inhibited tumour-driven blood vessel formation and tumour growth in the CAM and orthotopic pancreatic cancer xenografts.
  • PKD2 regulates hypoxia-induced VEGF-A expression/secretion by tumor cells and VEGF-A stimulated blood vessel formation.
  • PKD2 is a novel, essential mediator of tumour cell-endothelial cell communication and a promising therapeutic target to inhibit angiogenesis in gastrointestinal cancers.

Statistics:

  • 59% of gastrointestinal tumours express PKD2 (Gut, 2010; 59(10):1316-32).
  • PKD2 is the major mediator of hypoxia-stimulated VEGF-A promoter activity, expression, and secretion in tumour cells (Gut, 2010; 59(10):1316-32).
  • Tumour growth and angiogenesis in the CAM and tumor xenografts require PKD expression in endothelial cells (Gut, 2010; 59(10):1316-32).
  • 90% inhibition of tumour-driven blood vessel formation was observed in PKD2 depleted tumours (Gut, 2010; 59(10):1316-32).

Sources:

  • Azoitei, N., et al. "Protein kinase D2 is a crucial regulator of tumour cell-endothelial cell communication in gastrointestinal tumours." Gut, vol. 59, no. 10, 2010, pp. 1316-32.

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