Ameya K P, Ashikha Shirin Usman P P, Sekar Durairaj
RNA Biology Lab, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India.
RNA Biology Lab, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India.
Biochim Biophys Acta Gene Regul Mech. 2025 Jun;1868(2):195091. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2025.195091. Epub 2025 May 3.
Cancer progression is a multifaceted process influenced by complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Central to these dynamics are Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) signalling and microRNA (miRNA) modulation, both of which play critical roles in tumor growth and angiogenesis. VEGF is essential for promoting blood vessel formation; however, its splice variant, VEGF165b, acts as an anti-angiogenic factor, presenting a paradox challenging conventional cancer therapies. Meanwhile, miRNAs regulate gene expression that significantly impacts tumor behaviour by targeting various mRNAs involved in signalling pathways. The interplay between VEGF and miRNAs opens new avenues for targeted therapies designed to disrupt the networks supporting tumor growth. Additionally, the concept of exploiting the unique properties of VEGF splice variants is being explored to develop novel treatments that enhance anti-angiogenic effects while minimizing side effects. Understanding this is crucial for advancing personalized therapies that can effectively address the challenges posed by tumor adaptability and resistance mechanisms.
癌症进展是一个多方面的过程，受肿瘤微环境（TME）内复杂相互作用的影响。这些动态变化的核心是血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）信号传导和微小RNA（miRNA）调节，两者在肿瘤生长和血管生成中都起着关键作用。VEGF对促进血管形成至关重要；然而，其剪接变体VEGF165b作为一种抗血管生成因子，这一矛盾对传统癌症治疗提出了挑战。同时，miRNA通过靶向参与信号通路的各种mRNA来调节基因表达，这对肿瘤行为有显著影响。VEGF和miRNA之间的相互作用为旨在破坏支持肿瘤生长的网络的靶向治疗开辟了新途径。此外，人们正在探索利用VEGF剪接变体的独特特性来开发新的治疗方法，以增强抗血管生成作用同时将副作用降至最低。理解这一点对于推进个性化治疗至关重要，这些治疗可以有效应对肿瘤适应性和耐药机制带来的挑战。
