Targeting PKM2 signaling cascade with salvianic acid A normalizes tumor blood vessels to facilitate chemotherapeutic drug delivery

Aberrant tumor blood vessels are prone to propel the malignant progression of tumors,and targeting abnormal metabolism of tumor endothelial cells emerges as a promising option to achieve vascular normalization and antagonize tumor progression.Herein,we demonstrated that salvianic acid A(SAA)played a pivotal role in contributing to vascular normalization in the tumor-bearing mice,thereby improving delivery and effectiveness of the chemotherapeutic agent.SAA was capable of inhibiting glycolysis and strengthening endothelial junctions in the human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)exposed to hypoxia.Mechanistically,SAA was inclined to directly bind to the glycolytic enzyme PKM2,leading to a dramatic decrease in endothelial glycolysis.More importantly,SAA improved the endothelial integrity via activating theβ-Catenin/Claudin-5 signaling axis in a PKM2-dependent manner.Our findings suggest that SAA may serve as a potent agent for inducing tumor vascular normalization.

Identification of bioactive anti-angiogenic components targeting tumor endothelial cells in Shenmai injection using multidimensional pharmacokinetics

Shenmai injection(SMI)is a well-defined herbal preparation that is widely and clinically used as an adjuvant therapy for cancer.Previously,we found that SMI synergistically enhanced the activity of chemotherapy on colorectal cancer by promoting the distribution of drugs in xenograft tumors.However,the underlying mechanisms and bioactive constituents remained unknown.In the present work,the regulatory effects of SMI on tumor vasculature were determined,and the potential anti-angiogenic components targeting tumor endothelial cells(TECs)were identified.Multidimensional pharmacokinetic profiles of ginsenosides in plasma,subcutaneous tumors,and TECs were investigated.The results showed that the concentrations of protopanaxadiol-type(PPD)ginsenosides(Rb1,Rb2/Rb3,Rc,and Rd)in both plasma and tumors,were higher than those of protopanaxatriol-type(Rg1 and Re)and oleanane-type(Ro)ginsenosides.Among PPD-type ginsenosides,Rd exhibited the greatest concentrations in tumors and TECs after repeated injection.In vivo bioactivity results showed that Rd suppressed neovascularization in tumors,normalized the structure of tumor vessels,and improved the anti-tumor effect of 5-fluorouracil(5 FU)in xenograft mice.Furthermore,Rd inhibited the migration and tube formation capacity of endothelial cells in vitro.In conclusion,Rd may be an important active form to exert the anti-angiogenic effect on tumor after SMI treatment.

Targeting tumor endothelial hyperglycolysis enhances immunotherapy through remodeling tumor microenvironment

Vascular abnormality is a hallmark of most solid tumors and facilitates immune evasion.Targeting the abnormal metabolism of tumor endothelial cells(TECs)may provide an opportunity to improve the outcome of immunotherapy.Here,in comparison to vascular endothelial cells from adjacent peritumoral tissues in patients with colorectal cancer(CRC),TECs presented enhanced glycolysis with higher glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH)expression.Then an unbiased screening identified that osimertinib could modify the GAPDH and thus inhibit its activity in TECs.Low-dose osimertinib treatment caused tumor regression with vascular normalization and increased infiltration of immune effector cells in tumor,which was due to the reduced secretion of lactate from TECs by osimertinib through the inhibition of GAPDH.Moreover,osimertinib and anti-PD-1 blockade synergistically retarded tumor growth.This study provides a potential strategy to enhance immunotherapy by targeting the abnormal metabolism of TECs.