Decreased multistep carcinogenesis in transgenic mice overexpressing the endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor thrombospsondin-2

Introduction: Chemically-induced skin carcinogenesis is a well established cancer model in mice that allows a detailed evaluation of distinct stages of carcinogenesis, and that has also provided a more in-depth understanding of human epithelial cancer development. We have recently reported stromal upregulation of the endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2) during multistage skin carcinogenesis, and we found accelerated and enhanced tumor development and angiogenesis in TSP-2 deficient mice. Aim: To investigate whether enhanced levels of TSP-2 might protect from cancer development. Methods: We…