The influence of theobromine on angiogenic activity and proangiogenic cytokines production of human ovarian cancer cells.
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- Published online on: March 1, 1998 https://doi.org/10.3892/or.5.2.517
- Pages: 517-537
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Abstract
Angiogenesis plays an important role in ovarian cancer growth and metastasis formation. Adenosine is one of the most potent stimulator of neovascularisation. The aim of present study was to determine if theobromine, adenosine receptor antagonist, influences angiogenic activity and proangiogenic cytokines production. Theobromine caused significant inhibition of angiogenic activity of ovarian cancer cells. In in vivo and in vitro cultures theobromine diminished vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production. Production of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) was not altered by the examined drug. These findings suggest that theobromine might be a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis induced by ovarian cancer cells and its mechanism of action is related to inhibition of VEGF production.