The carboxyl terminal trimer of procollagen I induces pro-metastatic changes and vascularization in breast cancer cells xenografts
2009

Pro-collagen I peptide promotes breast cancer growth and blood vessel formation

Sample size: 10 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Visigalli Davide, Palmieri Daniela, Strangio Antonella, Astigiano Simonetta, Barbieri Ottavia, Casartelli Gianluigi, Zicca Antonio, Manduca Paola

Primary Institution: Università di Genova, Italy

Hypothesis

PICP induces epigenetic changes in breast tumor cells, resulting in promotion of tumor vascularization and progression in vivo.

Conclusion

PICP induces a metastasis-prone phenotype in breast cancer cells and promotes early vascularization of tumors.

Supporting Evidence

  • PICP-treated tumors showed increased vascularization compared to control tumors.
  • Pro-metastatic genes like VEGF-A and MMP-9 were up-regulated in PICP-treated tumors.
  • Mitotic and apoptotic indexes were unaffected by PICP treatment.
  • Endothelial cells were more frequently detected in PICP-treated tumors.
  • RECK expression was down-regulated in PICP-treated tumors.

Takeaway

A special part of collagen helps breast cancer cells grow and form new blood vessels, which can make the cancer spread more easily.

Methodology

Xenografts were created in BalbC/nude mice using MDA MB231 cells treated with PICP, and tumor development was studied over 48 days.

Limitations

The study was limited to a specific mouse model and may not fully represent human breast cancer behavior.

Participant Demographics

Female BalbC/nude mice, aged 6-8 weeks.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.0181

Statistical Significance

p = 0.0181

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-9-59

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