Researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) have identified a new molecular drug target that may New cancer drugs with fewer side effects.

Previous research has shown that vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A)—a potent cytokine (signaling protein)—and dopamine (a neurotransmitter/neurohormone) in It plays an important role in many physiological and pathological functions.

In this new laboratory study, Dr. Sujit Basu and colleagues conducted further preclinical analysis of VEGF-A as a target for the development of new cancer treatments.

For the first time, the research team discovered that VEGF-A increases the expression of dopamine D2 receptors on endothelial cells, which can then stimulate endothelial cells to stop blood vessel growth, thereby promoting the growth and spread of a variety of diseases, including colon cancer, endometriosis and ovarian cancer hyperstimulation syndrome. This growth of blood vessels is called angiogenesis. The research was published in the Journal of Cell Science.

“This is a very striking discovery that opens up new avenues for the development of effective new anti-angiogenic therapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases where VEGF-A is known to grow and spread The driver," said Basu, who also serves as a professor at the Ohio State University School of Medicine and is a member of the OSUCCC's James Translational Therapy Program.

Basu noted that, unlike currently available anti-VEGF-A antiangiogenic agents, selective dopamine D2 receptor agonists are inexpensive and have well-recognized and manageable side effects.

“These drugs do not have the severe side effects of anti-VEGF-A anti-angiogenic drugs currently in clinical use. We believe they deserve further study as viable treatments for cancer and other diseases driven by the VEGF-A pathway," Basu said.

Researchers hope to begin testing these drugs in clinical trials in the near future.