Novel targets to overcome antiangiogenesis therapy resistance in glioblastoma multiforme: Systems biology approach and suggestion of therapy by galunisertib

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a tumor with high microvessel density. Antiangiogenesis therapy (AAT) resistance occurs due to the complex mechanisms involved in angiogenesis, with increased chances of recurrence. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway is the main pathway of angiogenesis, and anti-VEGF drugs have been ineffective in controlling it. New oncogenes in the VEGF signaling pathway may be new candidates for angiogenesis targeting. Oncogene candidates were chosen using gene expression profiles and databases. Then oncogenes were subjected to gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and survival analysis (SA). Molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the interaction of the oncogenes with galunisertib. NRAS, AKT1, and HSPB1 were the most effective oncogenes upregulating genes that play a role in GBM expression in the VEGF signaling pathway. The VEGF and MAPK signaling pathways were found to be effective using GSEA and Kyoto Encyclopedia Gene and Genome pathway analysis. Survival analyses revealed that patients with high HSPB1 expression had poorer overall survival rates than those with low HSPB1 expression. Galunisertib exhibits intermolecular interactions with 6DV5, 5UHV, and 3O96 (binding energy -8.0, -8.6, and -10.3 kcal/mol, respectively). The current AAT should be restrategized to suppress the numerous angiogenic elements to manage angiogenesis and combat AAT resistance in GBM. In silico analysis indicated that NRAS, AKT1, and HSPB1 genes can be the main oncogenes in the VEGF signaling pathway and galunisertib strongly interacts with these genes. Consequently, the use of galunisertib to overcome AAT in GBM in combination therapy can be assessed