Induction of anti-VEGF therapy resistance by upregulated expression of microseminoprotein (MSMP)

Oncogene. 2018 Feb 8;37(6):722-731. doi: 10.1038/onc.2017.348. Epub 2017 Oct 23.

Abstract

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy has demonstrated efficacy in treating human metastatic cancers, but therapeutic resistance is a practical limitation and most tumors eventually become unresponsive. To identify microenvironmental factors underlying the resistance of cancer to antiangiogenesis therapy, we conducted genomic analyses of intraperitoneal ovarian tumors in which adaptive resistance to anti-VEGF therapy (B20 antibody) developed. We found that expression of the microseminoprotein, prostate-associated (MSMP) gene was substantially upregulated in resistant compared with control tumors. MSMP secretion from cancer cells was induced by hypoxia, triggering MAPK signaling in endothelial cells to promote tube formation in vitro. Recruitment of the transcriptional repressor CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) to the MSMP enhancer region was decreased by histone acetylation under hypoxic conditions in cancer cells. MSMP siRNA, delivered in vivo using the DOPC nanoliposomes, restored tumor sensitivity to anti-VEGF therapy. In ovarian cancer patients treated with bevacizumab, serum MSMP concentration increased significantly only in non-responders. These findings imply that MSMP inhibition combined with the use of antiangiogenesis drugs may be a new strategy to overcome resistance to antiangiogenesis therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Bevacizumab / pharmacology*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / pathology*
  • Cell Hypoxia
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Prognosis
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • PC3-secreted microprotein, human
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Bevacizumab