Molecular mechanisms of novel angiopreventive compounds.

In this thesis I have been studied 2 agents that have shown promising results as cancer chemopreventive. These 2 compounds are: -N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) -Triterpenoid CDDO-Me (synthetic derived of olanoleic acid) NAC has been widely studied and has already been reported is chemopreventive activity due to its anti-oxidant activity. Here for the first time it has been reported its ability to reduce the expression of an endothelial membrane protein (E-selectin). E-selectin is expressed on endothelial cells and can be used by metastatic cells as ‘docking site’ during metastatic spreading. This proprety of NAC could be a suitable tool for preventive approach of metastatization. CDDO-Me is actually in phase I Clinical trial. It has already been reported its antitumoral proprety. Here we show for the first time its potent antiangiogenic and angiopreventive activity through its interaction with inflammatory and endothelial cells.