Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Vascular Target Discovery in Breast Cancer-Associated Angiogenesis
Abstract
Cancer growth and spread is dependent on new blood vessel formation, i.e. angiogenesis. A tumor mass cannot develop into a life-threatening condition without angiogenesis. Obstructing the recruitment of new blood vessels to the tumor through administration of antiangiogenic agents will hinder cancer progression. We propose the use of marrow stromal cells (MSCs) for an investigative gene discovery program to identify new genes involved in blood vessel formation. MSCs, a normal cell type from the bone marrow, can spontaneously turn into blood vessels (MSC-mediated vasculogenesis) in experimental animals. Therefore, we propose that MSCs recapitulate the ontogeny of blood vessel formation and serve to identify novel angiogenesis promoters and potential new pharmacological targets. To test this hypothesis, we will utilize a cell biology and molecular genetic experimental approach. Products thus identified as involved in MSC-mediated vasculogenesis may become new cancer "antiangiogenesis" targets for either a classic pharmacological approach or for cell and gene therapy therapeutic strategies. The utilization of antiangiogenic agents for cancer treatment holds certain advantages over chemotherapeutic drugs, such as the destruction uniquely of tumor-associated normal blood vessels and not of other normal tissue such as bone marrow. Also, unlike chemotherapy, drug resistance is not an issue with antiangiogenic compounds.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA446682
Entities
People
- Jacques Galipeau
Organizations
- McGill University