Vasculogenic mimicry formation in EBV-associated epithelial malignancies

Abstract

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated epithelial cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and approximately 10% of gastric cancers, termed EBVaGC, represent 80% of all EBV-related malignancies. However, the exact role of EBV in epithelial cancers remains elusive. Here, we report that EBV functions in vasculogenic mimicry (VM). Epithelial cancer cells infected with EBV develop tumor vascular networks that correlate with tumor growth, which is different from endothelial-derived angiogenic vessels and is VEGF-independent. Mechanistically, activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1α signaling cascade, which is partly mediated by LMP2A, is responsible for EBV-induced VM formation. Both xenografts and clinical samples of NPC and EBVaGC exhibit VM histologically, which are correlated with AKT and HIF-1α activation. Furthermore, although anti-VEGF monotherapy shows limited effects, potent synergistic antitumor activities are achieved by combination therapy with VEGF and HIF-1α-targeted agents. Our findings suggest that EBV creates plasticity in epithelial cells to express endothelial phenotype and provides a novel EBV-targeted antitumor strategy.

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Cited by papers we hold 8

• Nasopharyngeal carcinoma ecology theory: cancer as multidimensional spatiotemporal “unity of ecology and evolution” pathological ecosystem · 2023
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• Targeted therapy for head and neck cancer: signaling pathways and clinical studies · 2023
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• The role of Epstein–Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma · 2023
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• EBV infection-induced GPX4 promotes chemoresistance and tumor progression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma · 2022
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• Mechanisms of vasculogenic mimicry in hypoxic tumor microenvironments · 2021
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• Signaling pathways in cancer-associated fibroblasts and targeted therapy for cancer · 2021
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• The role of microenvironment in tumor angiogenesis · 2020
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• Vasculogenic mimicry in carcinogenesis and clinical applications · 2020
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