Perifosine as potential anti-cancer agent inhibits proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Targeting angiogenesis is considered an effective strategy for treating the expansion and metastasis of tumors. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of perifosine, an inhibitor of Akt, on cell proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and VEGF-induced cell migration in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. MTT and cell cycle analysis results indicated that perifosine inhibited the growth of HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner, arrested cell cycle progression at the G2 phase with regulation the expression of p21 and cyclinB1. Apoptosis induced by the higher concentrations of perifosine in HUVECs was also observed. In addition, tube formation of HUVECs and VEGF-induced cell migration were markedly inhibited by perifosine. Western blotting analysis of cell signaling molecules indicated that perifosine inhibited ERK and p38 phosphorylation in HUVECs. These results suggest that perifosine exerts anti-angiogenic activity in HUVECs and is a promising agent for treatment of angiogenesis related-diseases.