{"title":"Apatinib attenuates CRKII-Mediated angiogenesis: Possible implications for metastasis prevention from small extracellular vesicle proteomics","authors":"Shiqin Wei, Yuan Mei, Chunjiang Liu, Weiwei Huang, Suhong Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.bcp.2026.118555","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High postoperative recurrence severely compromises treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) surgical outcomes. We investigated Apatinib’s potential as an adjuvant therapy targeting sEV (Small Extracellular Vesicle)-mediated angiogenesis within the tumor microenvironment to identify novel prognostic biomarkers. We employed quantitative label-free proteomics to screen for key therapeutic targets in TNBC-derived sEVs. The anti-angiogenic efficacy and potential anti-metastatic activity<!--> <!-->of Apatinib was evaluated using in <em>vitro</em> functional assays (proliferation, migration, adhesion, invasion, and tube formation) and an in <em>vivo</em> TNBC syngeneic mouse model. To validate its translational potential, we analyzed the regulation of the CRKII-PXN/VEGFA axis and its correlation with tumor angiogenesis and growth inhibition. Proteomic analysis identified the adaptor protein CRKII as a central hub significantly downregulated by Apatinib in sEVs. Mechanistically, Apatinib disrupted the transmission of pro-angiogenic signals to endothelial cells by reducing sEV-CRKII (small extracelluar vesicle-CRKII), which subsequently inhibited the downstream CRKII-PXN/VEGFA signaling axis. Functional validation confirmed that CRKII knockdown mimicked, while overexpression reversed, the anti-angiogenic effects of Apatinib. In the preclinical model, Apatinib significantly suppressed tumor growth and reduced microvessel density, suggesting its efficacy in controlling tumor burden and potential micrometastases. Apatinib effectively inhibits TNBC angiogenesis and exhibits potential anti-metastatic activity by downregulating sEV-CRKII and blocking the CRKII-PXN/VEGFA axis. These findings suggest that Apatinib may have potential as a postoperative adjuvant therapy for metastasis prevention. Furthermore, sEV-CRKII emerges as a promising non-invasive biomarker for surgeons to monitor therapeutic response and recurrence risk in TNBC patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8806,"journal":{"name":"Biochemical pharmacology","volume":"254 ","pages":"Article 118555"},"PeriodicalIF":6.5000,"publicationDate":"2026-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Biochemical pharmacology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006295226008981","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/10/20 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
High postoperative recurrence severely compromises treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) surgical outcomes. We investigated Apatinib’s potential as an adjuvant therapy targeting sEV (Small Extracellular Vesicle)-mediated angiogenesis within the tumor microenvironment to identify novel prognostic biomarkers. We employed quantitative label-free proteomics to screen for key therapeutic targets in TNBC-derived sEVs. The anti-angiogenic efficacy and potential anti-metastatic activity of Apatinib was evaluated using in vitro functional assays (proliferation, migration, adhesion, invasion, and tube formation) and an in vivo TNBC syngeneic mouse model. To validate its translational potential, we analyzed the regulation of the CRKII-PXN/VEGFA axis and its correlation with tumor angiogenesis and growth inhibition. Proteomic analysis identified the adaptor protein CRKII as a central hub significantly downregulated by Apatinib in sEVs. Mechanistically, Apatinib disrupted the transmission of pro-angiogenic signals to endothelial cells by reducing sEV-CRKII (small extracelluar vesicle-CRKII), which subsequently inhibited the downstream CRKII-PXN/VEGFA signaling axis. Functional validation confirmed that CRKII knockdown mimicked, while overexpression reversed, the anti-angiogenic effects of Apatinib. In the preclinical model, Apatinib significantly suppressed tumor growth and reduced microvessel density, suggesting its efficacy in controlling tumor burden and potential micrometastases. Apatinib effectively inhibits TNBC angiogenesis and exhibits potential anti-metastatic activity by downregulating sEV-CRKII and blocking the CRKII-PXN/VEGFA axis. These findings suggest that Apatinib may have potential as a postoperative adjuvant therapy for metastasis prevention. Furthermore, sEV-CRKII emerges as a promising non-invasive biomarker for surgeons to monitor therapeutic response and recurrence risk in TNBC patients.
期刊介绍:
Biochemical Pharmacology publishes original research findings, Commentaries and review articles related to the elucidation of cellular and tissue function(s) at the biochemical and molecular levels, the modification of cellular phenotype(s) by genetic, transcriptional/translational or drug/compound-induced modifications, as well as the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of xenobiotics and drugs, the latter including both small molecules and biologics.
The journal''s target audience includes scientists engaged in the identification and study of the mechanisms of action of xenobiotics, biologics and drugs and in the drug discovery and development process.
All areas of cellular biology and cellular, tissue/organ and whole animal pharmacology fall within the scope of the journal. Drug classes covered include anti-infectives, anti-inflammatory agents, chemotherapeutics, cardiovascular, endocrinological, immunological, metabolic, neurological and psychiatric drugs, as well as research on drug metabolism and kinetics. While medicinal chemistry is a topic of complimentary interest, manuscripts in this area must contain sufficient biological data to characterize pharmacologically the compounds reported. Submissions describing work focused predominately on chemical synthesis and molecular modeling will not be considered for review.
While particular emphasis is placed on reporting the results of molecular and biochemical studies, research involving the use of tissue and animal models of human pathophysiology and toxicology is of interest to the extent that it helps define drug mechanisms of action, safety and efficacy.