ESM1 SUMOylation mediates bevacizumab resistance in ovarian cancer through ITGB1-FAK-driven angiogenesis
Bevacizumab (Bev) resistance limits therapeutic efficacy in ovarian cancer (OC) patients. We identified ESM1 as a key gene in Bev-resistant OC. ESM1 secreted by OC-resistant cell lines activates the ITGB1/FAK axis to induce neovascularization and Bev resistance. Additionally, ESM1 overexpression promoted the growth and Bev resistance of OC, lung, intestinal, and hepatocellular carcinoma tumors. Then, we identified TRIM28 as an upstream regulator that stabilizes ESM1 by promoting SUMOylation, inhibiting its proteasomal degradation. In OC mice, TRIM28 overexpression promotes angiogenesis and Bev resistance via ESM1-mediated ITGB1/FAK activation. This work unveils a new molecular pathway underlying Bev resistance in OC and proposes TRIM28 and ESM1 as potential therapeutic targets.
Authors
- Bikang Yang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0523-0430)
- Wei Zhou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9553-7414)
- Dan Liu
- Hui Li
- Juan Yang
- Yukun Li
- Xing Tang
- Juan Zhang
- Xueru Liu
- Xiaomin Ran
Institutions
- Central South University (CN)
- Hunan Cancer Hospital (CN)
- Zhuzhou Central Hospital (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cell Reports
- Published
- 2026-02-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2026.116927
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Inflammation biomarkers and pathways
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 24.43