The
Eph receptors are the largest receptors
tyrosine kinases (RTKs) family in humans and together with
ephrin ligands constitute a complex cellular communication system often dysregulated in many
tumors. The role of the Eph-
ephrin system in
colorectal cancer (CRC) has been investigated and different expression of
Eph receptors have been associated with
tumor development and progression. In light of this evidence, we investigated if a pharmacological approach aimed at inhibiting Eph/
ephrin interaction through small molecules could prevent
tumor growth in APC min/J mice. The 8-week treatment with the Eph-
ephrin antagonist
UniPR129 significantly reduced the number of
adenomas in the ileum and decreased the diameter of
adenomas in the same region. Overall our data suggested as
UniPR129 could be able to slow down the
tumor development in APC min/J mice. These results further confirm literature data about Eph
kinases as a new valuable target in the
intestinal cancer and for the first time showed the feasibility of the Eph-
ephrin inhibition as a useful pharmacological approach against the intestinal
tumorigenesis. In conclusion this work paves the way for further studies with Eph-
ephrin inhibitors in order to confirm the Eph antagonism as innovative pharmacological approach with preventive benefit in the intestinal
tumor development.