Research

P38 MAP Kinase inhibition promotes primary tumour growth via VEGF independent mechanism

Adrian W O'Sullivan , Jiang H Wang and Henry P Redmond

Department of Academic Surgery, National University of Ireland (NUI) and Cork University College Hospital, Cork, Ireland

author email corresponding author email

World Journal of Surgical Oncology 2009, 7:89doi:10.1186/1477-7819-7-89

Published:	15 November 2009

Abstract

Background

The surgical insult induces an inflammatory response that activates P38 MAP kinases and solid tumours can also release cytokines. Therfore inhibition of these pathways may reduce tumour growth We set out to examine the effects of P38-MAPK inhibition on apoptosis, proliferation, VEGF release and cell cycle effects in-vitro and on primary tumour growth in-vivo.

Methods

4T-1 cells (2 × 10⁵cells/well) were incubated, in 24 well plates with control, 25, 50 or 100 ng/ml of SB-202190 for 24 hours. Cells were subsequently asessed for apoptosis, proliferation, VEGF release and cell cycle analysis. Balb-c mice each received 1 × 10⁶ 4T1 cells subcutaneously in the flank and were then randomised to receive control or SB202190 (2.5 μM/kg) by intraperitoneal injection daily. Tumour size was measured alternate days and at day 24 animals were sacrificed and serum VEGF assessed.

Results

P38-MAPK inhibition in-vitro resulted in a significant reduction in proliferation (75.2 ± 8.4% vs. 100 ± 4.3%, p < 0.05) and G₁ cell cycle phase(35.9 ± 1.1% vs. 32.5 ± 0.6%, p < 0.05) but no significant changes in apoptosis or VEGF levels. In-vivo, P38-MAPK inhibition resulted in an increase in primary tumour growth (155.6 ± 34.9 vs. 86.7 ± 18.2 mm³, p < 0.05). P38-MAPK inhibition also lowered circulating VEGF levels but this difference was not significant (101.9 ± 27.1 ηg/ml compared to 158.6 ± 27.1 ηg/ml)

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that P38-MAPK inhibition in-vitro reduces proliferation and G₁ cell cycle phase as well as promoting primary tumour growth in-vivo. These effects would appear to be independent of VEGF.