Ghrelin inhibited FGF-2-mediated angiogenesis in both cell culture and in-vivo models, revealing an anti-angiogenic property that could actually PROTECT against tumor blood vessel formation.
Anti-angiogenicGhrelin INHIBITED blood vessel formation (feared to promote cancer) — challenging the assumed cancer risk of GH secretagogues
What the researchers found
Ghrelin inhibited FGF-2-mediated angiogenesis: reduced endothelial cell proliferation, migration, tube formation in vitro, and new vessel formation in vivo — demonstrating anti-angiogenic rather than pro-angiogenic activity.
Why it matters
Cancer safety was a major concern for GH secretagogues. Finding that ghrelin INHIBITS angiogenesis reverses the feared cancer risk and suggests potential anti-cancer utility.
How the study worked
In-vitro: endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation with FGF-2 ± ghrelin. In-vivo: Matrigel plug angiogenesis assay in mice with FGF-2 ± ghrelin.
What this study cannot tell us
FGF-2-specific angiogenesis model. Other angiogenic pathways (VEGF) may respond differently. The physiological relevance of ghrelin's anti-angiogenic activity needs in-vivo tumor confirmation.
How to read the evidence
Preliminary evidence with both in-vitro and in-vivo anti-angiogenic data, directly addressing cancer safety concerns.
When this study was published
Published in 2004. Ghrelin's anti-angiogenic properties have been confirmed, contributing to a more nuanced cancer safety assessment.
The bigger picture
The ghrelin-cancer story keeps getting more nuanced. Rather than promoting cancer through angiogenesis, ghrelin may actually inhibit it — adding anti-angiogenic to its complex cancer biology profile.
Questions still open
- Does ghrelin inhibit VEGF-driven angiogenesis too?
- Could ghrelin's anti-angiogenic effect slow tumor growth in vivo?
- Does this change the cancer safety assessment for GH secretagogues?
Common questions
Do GH peptides promote cancer by growing tumor blood vessels?
Does this mean GH peptides are safe for cancer?
Read the original research
Ghrelin inhibits FGF-2-mediated angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.
Peptides, 25(12), 2179-85
Citation
Conconi, Maria Teresa; Nico, Beatrice; Guidolin, Diego; Baiguera, Silvia; Spinazzi, Raffaella; Rebuffat, Piera; Malendowicz, Ludwik K; Vacca, Angelo; Carraro, Gianni; Parnigotto, Pier Paolo; Nussdorfer, Gastone G; Ribatti, Domenico. (2004). Ghrelin inhibits FGF-2-mediated angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.. Peptides, 25(12), 2179-85.