Vulvar Cancer (VC)
Vulvar cancer (VC) is a rare form of cancer that affects the external female genitalia, specifically the vulva. At our company, we are dedicated to advancing research and development in the field of VC to improve therapy development programs and provide pharmaceutical companies with R&D efficiency.
Introduction to Vulvar Cancer (VC)
Vulvar cancer, characterized by the abnormal proliferation of cells in the external female genitalia, specifically the vulva, represents approximately 5% of all gynecological cancers. It primarily affects the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and the vaginal opening. This complex disease encompasses various subtypes, including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, melanoma, and basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma, the most prevalent subtype, accounts for approximately 90% of all vulvar cancer cases.
Pathogenesis of Vulvar Cancer (VC)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, notably the high-risk types such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, represents a significant risk factor for the development of vulvar cancer.
- Other risk factors include older age, smoking, a history of genital warts or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), chronic vulvar skin conditions, and immunosuppression.
Fig.1 Development of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. (Pedrão, Priscila Grecca, et al., 2022)Targets of Vulvar Cancer (VC) Therapy
PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway
The programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1 play a crucial role in immune regulation. In VC, the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway can be targeted to enhance the immune response against cancer cells.
HPV Antigens
High-risk HPV strains are strongly associated with VC. The scientists' research aims to develop therapies that target HPV antigens, preventing their persistence and reducing the risk of VC development.
Angiogenesis Factors
Tumor angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels to supply nutrients to tumors, is a critical process in cancer growth and metastasis. Targeting angiogenesis factors can inhibit VC progression.
Cell Cycle Regulators
Dysregulation of cell cycle regulators, such as cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), is commonly observed in VC. Targeting these regulators can prevent uncontrolled cell growth.
Therapy Development of Vulvar Cancer (VC)
- Chemotherapy
In cases where vulvar cancer (VC) has spread beyond the vulva, chemotherapy drugs can be administered to kill cancer cells throughout the body. The development of new chemotherapy drugs focuses on improving efficacy and reducing side effects.
- Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy drugs, such as pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and cemiplimab, have shown promise in the therapeutics of VC. These drugs enhance the body's immune response against cancer cells and are particularly effective in certain subtypes of VC.
Our Services
At our company, we offer comprehensive diagnostics and therapy development services for VC. By focusing on key targets in VC, such as the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and HPV antigens, we strive to provide innovative and effective therapy development solutions.
Therapy Development Platforms
We conduct thorough drug screening and evaluation to identify potential candidates for VC therapy. This includes in vitro assays and in vivo studies to assess the efficacy and toxicity of investigational compounds.
Animal Model Development Services
If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details and quotation information of related services.
Reference
- Pedrão, Priscila Grecca, et al. "Management of early-stage vulvar cancer." Cancers 14.17 (2022): 4184.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.