CXCR4-targeted Therapy Inhibits VEGF Expression and Chondrosarcoma Angiogenesis and Metastasis

Chondrosarcoma is notable for its lack of response to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, propensity for developing lung metastases, and poor survival. Therefore, a better understanding of angiogenic and metastatic pathways is needed. Multiple pathways regulate angiogenesis and metastasis, including chemokines and their receptors. In this study, we investigated CHEMOKINE (C-X-C MOTIF) RECEPTOR 4 (CXCR4) signaling in chondrosarcoma and tested the hypotheses that CXCR4 inhibition suppresses tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. CXCR4 expression, analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blot, was increased in human chondrosarcoma cell line JJ compared to normal chondrocytes, and was further increased in JJ by hypoxia (2% O2), VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR A (VEGFA) (10ng/ml), and in xenograft tumors in nude mice. The CXCR4 ligand CHEMOKINE (C-X-C MOTIF) LIGAND 12 (CXCL12) (10 ng/ml) doubled secreted VEGFA, measured with ELISA, under hypoxic conditions and this conditioned media increased HUVEC tube formation. These effects were inhibited by CXCR4 siRNA or AMD3100 (5 µg/mL). In a xenograft mouse model, four weeks of AMD3100 treatment (1.25 mg/kg, ip, bid) inhibited tumor angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis. VEGFA content in tumor extracts was decreased (7.19 ± 0.52 ng/mL control vs. 3.96 ± 0.66 treatment) and bioimaging of angiogenesis was decreased by 56%. Tumor volumes averaged 4.44 ± 0.68 cm3 in control compared to 2.48 ± 0.61 cm3 in the treatment group. The number of lung metastatic nodules was 23 ± 9 in control compared to 10 ± 6 in the treatment group (N=8/group). Therefore, CXCR4 targeted therapy may be a treatment strategy for chondrosarcoma.

http://mct.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2013/05/17/1535-7163.MCT-12-1092.abstract

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