Aggressive human tumor cells from disparate tissues were found to secrete
nucleoside diphosphate kinase-B (NDPK-B) as a phosphoprotein into the
extracellular environment. The secreted enzyme was capable of
trasphosphorylation activity in the absence of a phosphoryl donor,
thereby producing elevated level of extracellular ATP that plays a
significant role in angiogenesis required for the growth of cancer cells
and cancer metastasis. A series of structurally related non-nucleotide
anticancer compounds such as ellagic acid (EA), epigallocatechin gallate
(EGCG), and epicatechin gallate (ECG) were found to inhibit the activity
of secreted nucleoside diphosphate kinase-B as well as angiogenesis. The
nucleoside diphosphate kinase-B inhibition data disclosed herein can be
used in predicative models to design novel inhibitors of nucleoside
diphosphate kinase-B activity.