Microarray gene expression profiling of angiogenesis inhibitors using the rat aortic ring assay.

The rat aortic ring assay has been previously described as a useful ex vivo model for analyzing the biological activity of various inhibitors of angiogenesis. Rat aortic rings are exposed to antiangiogenic agents for a five-day incubation period. Then, the degree of microvessel outgrowth from the rings is analyzed and quantified. In contrast to most in vitro angiogenesis assays, the rat aortic ring model provides a unique microenvironment to evaluate the interaction of various cell types and biological factors for their influence on angiogenesis. Microarray analysis is an accepted method for the evaluation of gene expression profiles and can be used to better understand changes in gene expression that occur when rat aortic rings are exposed to a particular biological agent. Here we describe a method of using microarray technology to evaluate the modulation of gene expression in angiogenesis using the rat aortic ring assay.

Approaches to preclinical screening of antiangiogenic agents.

Angiogenesis, or new blood vessel growth, is essential for the growth, invasion, and metastasis of solid tumors. The inhibition of this process, or antiangiogenesis, is a promising new therapeutic anticancer strategy. Several antiangiogenic compounds are currently in preclinical or clinical development for the treatment of cancer. However, the challenge for the discovery and characterization of antiangiogenic targets remains in developing efficient in vitro or in vivo preclinical angiogenesis screening assays to assess and compare antiangiogenic activity. Several semiquantitative or quantitative angiogenesis assays exist, including in vitro endothelial cell systems and ex vivo or in vivo neovascularization models utilizing mouse, rat, or human tissues. We describe the more common and cost-effective angiogenesis assays currently in use, summarizing their unique advantages and disadvantages. Since angiogenesis inhibition is a novel therapeutic modality towards controlling solid tumors, antiangiogenic drug development underlines the importance in describing, standardizing, and developing quantitative screening assays for the next generation of antiangiogenic agents.

A randomized phase II trial of docetaxel (taxotere) plus thalidomide in androgen-independent prostate cancer.

New therapeutic alternatives are needed to improve outcomes in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). For several years, researchers at the National Cancer Institute have been interested in elucidating the importance of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer and in identifying inhibitors of this process. Thalidomide has been shown to inhibit the ability of tumors to recruit new blood vessels. In a recent phase II trial of thalidomide in AIPC, 28% of patients achieved a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decrease of >40%. The taxane docetaxel also produces PSA and measurable disease responses when used as monotherapy or as a component of combination chemotherapy for AIPC. Thus, based on the single-agent activity of thalidomide and docetaxel, we initiated a randomized phase II study of weekly docetaxel with or without thalidomide, 200 mg at bedtime, in patients with chemotherapy-naive metastatic AIPC. Docetaxel, 30 mg/m(2) intravenously, was administered every 7 days for 3 weeks, followed by a 1-week rest period. Both regimens have been well tolerated among the first 59 treated patients, with a near absence of grade (3/4) myelosuppression. Fatigue, hyperglycemia, and pulmonary toxicity were seen in both groups. Thrombotic events have been seen in the combination arm. Thirty-five percent (6 of 17) of the patients receiving docetaxel alone and 53% (19 of 36) of those receiving docetaxel and thalidomide have had a PSA decrease of at least 50%. Combining a cytotoxic agent with an angiogenesis inhibitor is a promising area of investigation for prostate cancer management.

Thalidomide neuropathy in patients treated for metastatic prostate cancer.

We prospectively evaluated thalidomide-induced neuropathy using electrodiagnostic studies. Sixty-seven men with metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer in an open-label trial of oral thalidomide underwent neurologic examinations and nerve conduction studies (NCS) prior to and at 3-month intervals during treatment. NCS included recording of sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) from median, radial, ulnar, and sural nerves. SNAP amplitudes for each nerve were expressed as the percentage of its baseline, and the mean of the four was termed the SNAP index. A 40% decline in the SNAP index was considered clinically significant. Thalidomide was discontinued in 55 patients for lack of therapeutic response. Of 67 patients initially enrolled, 24 remained on thalidomide for 3 months, 8 remained at 6 months, and 3 remained at 9 months. Six patients developed neuropathy. Clinical symptoms and a decline in the SNAP index occurred concurrently. Older age and cumulative dose were possible contributing factors. Neuropathy may thus be a common complication of thalidomide in older patients. The SNAP index can be used to monitor peripheral neuropathy, but not for early detection.

Protein binding alters the activity of suramin, carboxyamidotriazole, and UCN-01 in an ex vivo rat aortic ring angiogenesis assay.

Angiogenesis inhibitors are currently in clinical development for cancer. These agents pose unique developmental challenges: (a) determining maximum biological doses versus maximum tolerated doses; (b) defining response criteria other than objective tumor responses; and (c) defining safe regimens for prolonged, chronic administration. The current in vitro angiogenesis assays used in the screening and preclinical development of antiangiogenic agents each have their own advantages and disadvantages, yet all seem to underestimate the importance and impact of in vivo protein-drug interactions. We have developed a human serum rat aortic ring angiogenesis bioassay that highlights protein binding concerns using three anticancer agents that have documented antiangiogenic activity: suramin, carboxyamidotriazole, and 7-hydroxystaurosporine. We have determined that the bioassay concentrations of suramin (100 microg/ml) and 7-hydroxystaurosporine (> 1 microg/ml), but not carboxyamidotriazole (> or = 60 microg/ml), that inhibit microvessel formation are consistent with target plasma levels achievable in the clinic. We conclude that assays such as the human serum rat aortic ring bioassay may prove useful in predicting the concentrations of protein-bound antiangiogenic agents required for free fraction biological activity.

A randomized phase II trial of thalidomide, an angiogenesis inhibitor, in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Thalidomide is a potent teratogen that causes dysmelia in humans. Recently, in vitro data suggested that it inhibits angiogenesis. Prostate cancer is dependent on the recruitment of new blood vessels to grow and metastasize. Based on those data, we initiated a Phase II trial of thalidomide in patients with metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: This was an open-label, randomized Phase II study. Thalidomide was administered either at a dose of 200 mg/day (low-dose arm) or at an initial dose of 200 mg/day that escalated to 1200 mg/day (high-dose arm). RESULTS: A total of 63 patients were enrolled onto the study (50 patients on the low-dose arm and 13 patients on the high-dose arm). Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline of > or = 50% was noted in 18% of patients on the low-dose arm and in none of the patients on the high-dose arm. Four patients were maintained for > 150 days. The most prevalent complications were constipation, fatigue, neurocortical, and neurosensory. CONCLUSION: Thalidomide, an antiangiogenesis agent, has some activity in patients with metastatic prostate cancer who have failed multiple therapies. A total of 27% of all patients had a decline in PSA of > or = 40%, often associated with an improvement of clinical symptoms. Because our preclinical studies had shown that thalidomide increases PSA secretion, we believe that the magnitude of PSA decline seen in our trial justifies further study.

TNP-470: an angiogenesis inhibitor in clinical development for cancer.

TNP-470, an analogue of fumagillin, has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In 1992, TNP-470 entered clinical development for cancer as an anti-angiogenic agent. It is currently in Phase I/II trials in Kaposi's sarcoma, renal cell carcinoma, brain cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer. In early clinical reports, TNP-470 is tolerated up to 177 mg/m(2) with neurotoxic effects (fatigue, vertigo, ataxia, and loss of concentration) being the principal dose limiting toxicity (DLT). Terminal half-life values are short and have shown intermittent and intrapatient variation (range: 0.05 - 1.07 h). Recently, mechanistic studies have identified cell cycle mediators and the protein methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP-2) as molecular targets of TNP-470 and fumagillin. Animal studies confirm some toxic effects on normal angiogenic processes such as the female reproductive system and wound healing, which will require caution and close monitoring in the clinic. TNP-470 is one of the first anti-angiogenic compounds to enter clinical trials, making it a valuable prototype for future trials of angiogenesis inhibitors in oncology.

The angiogenesis inhibitor, endostatin, does not affect murine cutaneous wound healing.

BACKGROUND: Endostatin is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor, which is currently being used in Phase I trials as an antitumor agent. The purpose of this study was to determine whether endostatin has an effect on wound healing in a murine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The function of endostatin was confirmed using a human microvascular endothelial cell (HMVEC) proliferation assay in which cells are treated for 4 days with growth media plus or minus endostatin. Full-thickness incisions were made on the dorsum of athymic nude mice and closed primarily with skin staples. PVA sponges were implanted in some wounds to determine vascular ingrowth. Subsequently, mice were treated with recombinant human endostatin at 20 mg/kg/day or 50 mg/kg/dose BID versus control for a total of 14 days. On Days 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16, three mice per group had serum samples drawn and were sacrificed. Perpendicular breaking strength (N) was determined using an Instron 5540 tensometer. Wound strength was determined by dividing breaking strength by wound area (N/cm(2)). Vascular density in sponges was determined using CD31 immunohistochemistry. Serum endostatin concentrations were determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. RESULTS: Endostatin caused a significant reduction of endothelial cell proliferation after 4 days compared to media alone (72%, P = 0.031). At all time points tested, there was no statistical difference in the wound-breaking strength between endostatin and control-treated mice at either the low or high dose. Serum endostatin levels were consistently 10-fold higher in endostatin-treated mice than in controls. No differences in vascular density were seen in endostatin versus control-treated mice as determined by CD31 immunohistochemistry of PVA sponges. CONCLUSION: Therapy with human endostatin does not induce a significant decrease in breaking strength of cutaneous wounds in mice.

Endostatin inhibits microvessel formation in the ex vivo rat aortic ring angiogenesis assay.

Endostatin has demonstrated potent antiangiogenic and antitumor activity in mouse models. We have investigated the ex vivo rat aortic ring assay and a human vein model to assess the biological activity of murine and human endostatin. Rat aortic rings were exposed to recombinant murine endostatin (Spodoptera frugipera; Calbiochem, San Diego, CA) or recombinant human endostatin (Pichia pastoris; EntreMed, Rockville, MD). After 5 days, murine endostatin (500 microgram/ml) demonstrated inhibition of microvessel outgrowth with dose-dependent effects (down to 16 microgram/ml). No significant inhibition was observed with human endostatin in the rat assay. Human endostatin at 250 and 500 microgram/ml inhibited outgrowths from human saphenous vein rings after a 14-day incubation. Electron microscopy assessed the formation of basal lamina, confirming that the microvessels were progenitors of patent vessels. Immunostaining for Factor VIII or CD34 demonstrated that the microvessel cells were endothelial. BrdU incorporation assays supported the presence of proliferating endothelial cells, correlating with neovascularization from the aortic wall. We conclude that the rat aortic ring assay confirms the antiangiogenic activity of murine but not human endostatin, suggesting that the model may have species specificity. However, the human form shows biological activity against human vascular tissue.

Carboxyamido-triazole inhibits angiogenesis by blocking the calcium-mediated nitric-oxide synthase-vascular endothelial growth factor pathway.

The induction of angiogenesis is known to play a critical role in the successful growth, invasion, and metastasis of a tumor. A tumor will not grow beyond a few cubic millimeters without the formation of its own capillary network. Several antiangiogenic agents are under investigation in the clinic setting for the treatment of cancer. Carboxyamido-triazole (CAI), an inhibitor of Ca(2+)-mediated signal transduction, has been previously shown to inhibit angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo and to down-regulate matrix metalloproteinase-2 in vitro. Diminished levels of intracellular Ca(2+) result in decreased nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) activity and thereby inhibit the production and release of NO. The antiangiogenic activity of CAI was investigated by assessing microvessel growth from rat aortic segments and in cell culture using human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). With these models, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and NOS production and secretion were evaluated. CAI concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 12.0 microg/ml inhibited new microvessel formation in rat aortic cultures and HAEC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, HAECs treated with CAI showed a dose-dependent decrease of NOS expression and a decrease in both VEGF expression and secretion. Rat aortic segments demonstrated decreased VEGF expression in situ on immunostaining. These data suggest that modulation of the NOS-NO-VEGF pathway through Ca(2+)-mediated signaling by CAI inhibits angiogenesis in vitro.

Thalidomide up-regulates prostate-specific antigen secretion from LNCaP cells.

Thalidomide has been shown to have species- and metabolic-dependent antiangiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its potential in treating human angiogenesis-dependent pathologies such as solid tumors. Based on promising preclinical studies, thalidomide has entered phase II clinical trials for prostate, brain, breast cancer, and Kaposi's sarcoma. However, the antiangiogenic mechanism of action is largely unresolved, as are its effects on tumor-associated gene expression, cytokine secretion, etc. We have investigated the effects of thalidomide on: 1) the secretion of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a human androgen-dependent prostate cell line; 2) growth and viability of human prostate cells; and 3) differential gene expression profiles of thalidomide-treated vs untreated human prostate cells. A human androgen-dependent prostate carcinoma cell line (LNCaP) and a human androgen-independent prostate carcinoma cell line (PC-3) were incubated with thalidomide 0.6, 6, or 60 microg/mL for 5-6 days. Secreted PSA from LNCaP cells was measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Cell viability studies were conducted in both LNCaP and PC-3 cells using the same thalidomide concentrations. Furthermore, the differential gene expression of thalidomide-treated LNCaP cells was compared to that of untreated control cells using a commercially available human cancer cDNA expression array system. Thalidomide-treated LNCaP cells demonstrated increased PSA/cell levels at all concentrations tested compared to untreated control cells. Thalidomide demonstrated a cytostatic effect in LNCaP cells but had no appreciable effect on PC-3 cell viability compared to untreated control cells. Comparison of cDNA expression arrays hybridized with thalidomide-treated LNCaP cDNA probes suggests that thalidomide may up- or downregulate expression of angiogenesis-related genes, i.e., vitronectin, but these differential effects require further verification. Thalidomide over a range of doses has demonstrated nontoxic, cytostatic activity in LNCaP cells and significant upregulation of LNCaP cell PSA secretion in vitro. Furthermore, preliminary data from cDNA nucleic acid arrays of thalidomide-treated LNCaP cells suggest that thalidomide upregulates a potential angiogenic modulatory protein, the vitronectin precursor, which may eventually link thalidomide's antiangiogenic activity with modulation of angiogenic vascular integrin pathways.

UCN-01, a protein kinase C inhibitor, inhibits endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenic hypoxic response.

Angiogenesis is required for tumor formation and growth; inhibition of angiogenesis is a promising new approach in cancer therapy. UCN-01, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, induces growth arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells and was recently introduced in a phase I clinical trial. We demonstrate that UCN-01, at concentrations lower than those necessary to inhibit cancer cell growth, inhibit proliferation of human endothelial cells in vitro. Moreover, UCN-01, at concentrations as low as 32 nM, prevent microvessel outgrowth from explant cultures of rat aortic rings. Since hypoxia activates hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1)-dependent transcription in cancer cells that, in a paracrine fashion, drive tumor angiogenesis, we investigated the effects of UCN-01 on HIF-1-responsive promoter constructs. We report that, in addition to direct inhibitory effects on endothelial cell growth, UCN-01 abrogates hypoxia-mediated transactivation of HIF-1-responsive promoters in a prostate cancer cell line. We conclude that UCN-01, at clinically relevant concentrations, exerts an anti-neovascularization effect by blocking two important steps in vessel formation: (1) the response of cancer cells to hypoxia, and (2) endothelial cell proliferation.