Summary
Decreased activity of an oxygen sensor in hypoxic conditions prompts endothelial vessel cells to readjust their shape and phenotype to restore oxygen supply and reduces metastasis events.
A key function of blood vessels, to supply oxygen, is impaired in tumors because of abnormalities in their endothelial lining. PHD (prolyl hydroxylase) proteins serve as oxygen sensors and may regulate oxygen delivery. VIB scientists under the supervision of Peter Carmeliet and Massimiliano Mazzone studied the role of endothelial PHD2 in vessel shaping by implanting tumors in PHD2+/_ mice. Haplodeficiency of PHD2 normalized vessel cells resulted in improved tumor perfusion and oxygenation and inhibited tumor cell invasion, intravasation, and metastasis.
Application
Inhibition of PHD2
- may offer alternative therapeutic opportunities for anticancer therapy
- is complementary to existing treatments such as chemotherapy
IP position
“PHD2 inhibition for blood vessel normalization, and uses thereof”
Patent application PCT/EP2010/050645
Priority Date: 20th January 2009