Ethyl pyruvate, an anti-inflammatory agent, inhibits tumor angiogenesis through inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway

Ethyl pyruvate (EP), simple derivative of pyruvate, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we demonstrate EP’s strong anti-angiogenic activity. EP inhibited in vivo angiogenesis in the mouse Matrigel-plug assay and tumor growth in the mouse Lewis lung carcinoma model. EP also interfered with the angiogenic cascade, including growth, invasion, migration, and tube formation. Activation of NF-κB by vascular endothelial cell growth factor was reduced by EP. Taken together, we suggest that EP may have potential as a new multi-functional drug candidate for anti-angiogenesis and cancer therapy.