Role of vascular endothelial growth factor in radiotherapy resistance to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2023 Jun;149(6):2543-2550. doi: 10.1007/s00432-022-04122-x. Epub 2022 Jun 29.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is related to the radiation resistance of tumors, resulting in the failure of tumor radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to discuss the role of VEGF in radiotherapy resistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We used the VEGF kit by ELISA to detect the serum VEGF level of ESCC patients who only received radiotherapy. The expression of VEGF in ESCC cells after siRNA treatment was verified by Western blot. The sensitivity of ESCC cells to radiation after knocking down VEGF was analyzed by Clonogenic assay and Cell counting kit (CCK-8). The results showed that the level of serum VEGF in patients with ESCC before and after radiotherapy was related to the clinical response, and it was confirmed that knocking down the expression of VEGF in ESCC cells improved the sensitivity to radiation.

Keywords: Anti-angiogenesis; Curative effect; Esophageal carcinoma; Radiotherapy; Vascular endothelial growth factor.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / radiotherapy
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Esophageal Neoplasms* / radiotherapy
  • Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma* / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors