Background/aim: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) acts as a key regulator in promoting ovarian cancer metastasis. Previously, we observed that YYB-101, a humanized anti-HGF antibody, effectively inhibits ovarian cancer cell migration, invasion, and progression. Here, we evaluated the signaling mechanisms affected by YYB-101 that are important in ovarian cancer cell progression.
Materials and methods: Using cell migration, invasion and proliferation assays, we evaluated the effects of YYB-101 on A2780/luc and SKOV3 cells. The effects of YYB-101 on signaling molecules were determined by immunocytochemistry and immunoblot analysis.
Results: YYB-101 inhibited HGF-induced ovarian cancer cell motility by down-regulating paxillin phosphorylation and actin-cytoskeleton rearrangement. Also, YYB-101 inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation by reducing c-MET phosphorylation and activating apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. These effects were significantly enhanced by combining YYB-101 treatment with paclitaxel, a standard chemotherapy drug.
Conclusion: YYB-101 can be examined as a new therapeutic agent for the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer.
Keywords: Hepatocyte growth factor; apoptosis; c-MET; humanized monoclonal antibody; ovarian cancer.
Copyright © 2021 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.