PDGFRalpha: a new therapeutic target in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma?

Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2009 Apr;13(4):443-54. doi: 10.1517/14728220902719233.

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) develops most often in a background of chronic inflammatory liver injury from viral infection or alcohol use. Most HCCs are diagnosed at a stage at which surgical resection is not feasible. Even in patients receiving surgery rates of recurrence and metastasis remain high. There are few effective HCC therapies and hence a need for novel, rational approaches to treatment. Platelet derived growth factor receptor-alpha (PDGFR-alpha) is involved in tumor angiogenesis and maintenance of the tumor microenvironment and has been implicated in development and metastasis of HCC.

Objective: To examine PDGFR-alpha as a target for therapy of HCC and explore opportunities and strategies for PDGFR-alpha inhibition.

Methods: A review of relevant literature.

Results/conclusions: Targeted inhibition of PDGFR-alpha is a rational strategy for prevention and therapy of HCC.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Benzenesulfonates / pharmacology
  • Benzenesulfonates / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / blood supply
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / enzymology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / prevention & control
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Drug Design
  • Embryonic Development / physiology
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Liver Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Liver Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology
  • Niacinamide / analogs & derivatives
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / physiology
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Sorafenib

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzenesulfonates
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyridines
  • Niacinamide
  • Sorafenib
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha