Thymidine Phosphorylase (Platelet-Derived Endothelial Cell Growth Factor) as a Target for Capecitabine: From Biology to the Bedside

Title: Thymidine Phosphorylase (Platelet-Derived Endothelial Cell Growth Factor) as a Target for Capecitabine: From Biology to the Bedside

Volume: 1 Issue: 2

Author(s): Girolamo Ranieri, Aldo M. Roccaro, Angelo Vacca and Domenico Ribatti

Affiliation:

Keywords: Angiogenesis, anti-angiogenesis, tumour progression, thymidine phosphorylase

Abstract: Thymidine phosphorylase (TP), also known as platelet derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), is an enzyme involved in thymidine synthesis and degradation and exerts an angiogenic activity, whereas N4 pentyloxycarbonyl- 5-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine, commonly called capecitabine (CAP), is a TP-activated oral fluorpyrimidine, which generates 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) within tumours. In addition to its classic antitumour activity, recent studies suggest that CAP may act as an antiangiogenetic molecule. Assessment of tumour microvessel density as expressed by endothelial cell TP positivity may identify the most vascularized and hence CAP-sensitive tumours. This review summarizes: (i) the biochemical and tissue expression of TP; (ii) the pharmacological profile of CAP as an anti-cancer compound and the central role of TP in its activation; (iii) the potential antiangiogenetic role of TP-activated CAP in tumours.

Cite this article as:

Ranieri Girolamo, Roccaro M. Aldo, Vacca Angelo and Ribatti Domenico, Thymidine Phosphorylase (Platelet-Derived Endothelial Cell Growth Factor) as a Target for Capecitabine: From Biology to the Bedside, Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery 2006; 1 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157489206777442241