Quercetin inhibits angiogenesis-mediated human retinoblastoma growth by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common malignant intraocular cancer in teenagers, occurrence of which depends on the mutation of multiple genes. Among all the signaling pathways involved in the oncogenesis of RB, the process of angiogenesis has been demonstrated to be associated with the local invasive growth and metastasis of this cancer type. Quercetin (Que) is a typical flavonoid and has been reported to inhibit angiogenesis in various types of tumors. In the present study, the effect of Que on RB cells and angiogenesis of RB was evaluated. The human RB Y79 cell line was subjected to treatment with Que of various concentrations. Viability, invasion and migration ability and apoptosis of Y79 cells were subsequently measured to assess the effect of Que on RB cells. In addition, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) was also quantified. It was revealed that Que inhibited RB cell growth and invasion in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, with 100 µM Que exhibiting the strongest inhibitory effect. In addition, Que downregulated the expression of VEGFR, which was an indicator of the blockade of angiogenesis in RB by targeting VEGF. The effect of Que on angiogenesis was also observed to be dose-dependent. The results of the present study indicated that Que may be a potential anti-RB therapy due to its anti-angiogenesis effect.