Blockade of PDGFR family together with SRC leads to diminished proliferation of CRC cells

Aims: Among the family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) has attracted increasing attention as potential target of anti-tumor therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods/Results: Varying expression of the PDGFRβ was demonstrated in CRC cell lines. SW480 cells showing the highest PDGFRβ expression were used for receptor down-regulation by siRNA and by the pharmacological inhibitor of PDGFRβ Ki11502. Blockade of PDGFRβ using both approaches led to a moderate inhibition of cell proliferation and diminished the PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of the downstream si…