DOHA: Cancer researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) have discovered one of the aspects of how and why an ovarian cancer patient may build up resistance to the popular drug Avastin.
In Qatar, the Middle East and the rest of the world, tens of thousands of women die from ovarian cancer each year meaning any improvement in the therapies used could be of huge significance.
Dr Bella Guerrouahen, a postdoctoral associate in genetic medicine at WCMC-Q, has discovered one of the aspects of how and why a patient may build up resistance to the popular drug bevacizumab sold commercially as Avastin.
The role of Avastin is to prevent the growth of blood vessels to the tumour, cutting off its food and oxygen supply. It does this by targeting VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) – a protein that stimulates the growth of new blood vessels (vasculogenesis) and creating new blood vessels from existing ones (angiogenesis).
VEGF is produced by cancer cells and attracts endothelial cells which form new blood vessels around the tumour.
Despite initial success where the Avastin works and prevents the growth of new blood vessels and inhibits tumours, patients often suffer from a build-up of resistance to the Avastin and blood vessels begin growing again, which allows the tumour to thrive and spread.
Working in the laboratory of Dr Arash Rafii, Associate Professor, Genetic Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, WCMC-Q and an expert in stem cell science and gynaecologic oncology, Dr Guerrouahen explored the reasons behind the phenomenon.
With support from Qatar National Research Fund under the Junior Scientists Research Experience programme and support from Dr Ahmed Saleh from the pharmacy at National Centre for Cancer Care and Research, she and her team discovered that the endothelial cells lining the walls of blood vessels were building up resistance to Avastin.
Dr Guerrouahen said, “The research demonstrates the innovation of the work we are conducting and is at the fore-front of cancer research. We are not just looking at the resistance of cancer cells but also the wider micro-environment of the tumour, in this case the resistance mediated by endothelium.
“My paper shows that patients would benefit from a combination of therapies – when you use an anti-FGF in tandem with Avastin, you get better results. This could apply to other cancers as well.”
The Peninsula
