Researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have found that some blood pressure medications might help stop the spread of pancreatic cancer. ACE inhibitors and AT1R blockers may inhibit angiogenesis, the development of blood vessels that feed a tumor.A pancreatic hormone called angiotensin II (Ang II) has shown in previous studies to be repressed by the use of either an ACE inhibitor or AT1R blocker. The hormone Ang II increases the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a substance made by cells that stimulate new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). It is one of the most important endothelial growth factors and also helps regulate angiogenesis. VEGF is known to promote blood vessel growth in a number of cancers. High VEGF levels has been associated with a poor prognosis and earlier recurrence of cancer.
The researchers examined normal and malignant pancreatic tissue. Captopril, an ACE inhibitor and losartan, an AT1R blocker stopped the effect that Ang II had on VEGF production. The research showed that both ACE and AT1R protein found in the pancreas was 75 percent higher in the malignant tissue and VEGF was higher in these same tissue samples.
Dr. Hwyda Arafat, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of surgery at Jefferson Medical College, said "Our data show for the first time that both ACE and AT1R are functionally expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and suggest their involvement in tumor angiogenesis. High levels of Ang II might mean high levels of VEGF and pancreatic cancer. We have a treatment to block it."
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