Pigment epithelium-derived factor as an anticancer drug and new treatment methods following the discovery of its receptors: a patent perspective

Abstract

Background-Traditional forms of cancer therapy, which includes chemotherapy, have largely been overhauled due to the significant degree of toxicity they pose to normal, otherwise healthy tissue. It is hoped that use of biological agents, most of which are endogenously present in the body, will lead to safer treatment outcomes, without sacrificing efficacy.Objective-The finding that PEDF, a naturally-occurring protein, was a potent angiogenesis inhibitor became the basis for studying the role of PEDF in tumours that are highly resistant to chemotherapy. The determination of the direct role of PEDF against cancer paved the way for understanding and developing PEDF as a novel drug. This review focuses on the patent applications behind testing the anticancer therapeutic effect of PEDF via its receptors as an antiangiogenic agent and as a direct anticancer agent.Conclusions-The majority of the PEDF patents describe its and/or its fragments' antiangiogenic ability and the usage of recombinant vectors as the mode of treatment delivery. Declaration of interestThe authors declare no conflict of interest and have received no payment in preparation for this manuscript. PEDF's therapeutic potential against different diseases and the discovery of its receptors opens possibilities for improving PEDF-based peptide design and drug delivery modes. NIH Public Access

Vitreous Levels of Proteins Implicated in Angiogenesis Are Modulated in Patients with Retinal or Choroidal Neovascularization

“…In this regard, PEDF may link the molecular networks of angiogenesis and lipid metabolism. The therapeutic potential of PEDF, predominantly as anticancer drug, is under investigation [24]. …”

Pigment Epithelium–Derived Factor Alleviates Tamoxifen-Induced Endometrial Hyperplasia

“…Several studies showed that PEDF level declines with age, and suggested that this decline may play a key role in the development of angiogenic-related pathologies (18). Moreover, it was shown that decrease in PEDF expression is one of the mechanisms that promote tumor growth (19), suggesting PEDF as an anticancer therapy (20,21). We have recently characterized the expression and regulation of PEDF in human and rodent premenopausal endometrium, indicating that PEDF is dynamically expressed in mice endometrium throughout the estrous cycle, in reciprocity to VEGF, and that the balance between the two is regulated by estrogen and progestrone (22,23).…”

“…We have recently characterized the expression and regulation of PEDF in human and rodent premenopausal endometrium, indicating that PEDF is dynamically expressed in mice endometrium throughout the estrous cycle, in reciprocity to VEGF, and that the balance between the two is regulated by estrogen and progestrone (22,23). PEDF is a secreted glycoprotein that promotes a variety of activities upon binding to various receptors (20). In our previous studies, we showed that endometrial cells express Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 2 (PNPLA2; ref.…”

Role of pigment epithelium-derived factor in the reproductive system

“…Other studies conducted in endothelial cells showed that survival and apoptotic cascades occur simultaneously within a single cell; the switch between the processes depends on changes in the balance between PEDF and VEGF (Pollina et al 2008). However, detailed studies are still required to fully understand the mechanism behind these networks (Manalo et al 2011).…”

“…To achieve a proper angiogenesis, an accurate balance between proand anti-angiogenic factors must be maintained (Manalo et al 2011); any failure in angiogenesis can lead to diverse pathologies.…”