Vitamin E analogues inhibit angiogenesis by selective induction of apoptosis in proliferating endothelial cells: the role of oxidative stress

Cancer Res. 2007 Dec 15;67(24):11906-13. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-3034.

Abstract

"Mitocans" from the vitamin E group of selective anticancer drugs, alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS) and its ether analogue alpha-TEA, triggered apoptosis in proliferating but not arrested endothelial cells. Angiogenic endothelial cells exposed to the vitamin E analogues, unlike their arrested counterparts, readily accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) by interfering with the mitochondrial redox chain and activating the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The vitamin E analogues inhibited angiogenesis in vitro as assessed using the "wound-healing" and "tube-forming" models. Endothelial cells deficient in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were resistant to the vitamin E analogues, both in ROS accumulation and apoptosis induction, maintaining their angiogenic potential. alpha-TOS inhibited angiogenesis in a mouse cancer model, as documented by ultrasound imaging. We conclude that vitamin E analogues selectively kill angiogenic endothelial cells, suppressing tumor growth, which has intriguing clinical implications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Drug Resistance
  • Endothelium, Vascular
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / physiology*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology*
  • Vitamin E / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin E / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • Vitamin E