Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1/Wnt/ β-catenin crosstalk leads to tumor cell death

Abstract

Two genes are considered synthetic lethal if mutation of either alone allows cell viability, whereas simultaneous mutation leads to cell death. A synthetic lethal screen unveiled the dependency of Wnt/β-catenin-addicted colorectal cancer cells on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 kinase activity and suggested a novel therapeutic approach for this malignancy. © 2009 American Association for Cancer Research.