Abstract 1388: sFLT01: An anti-angiogenic fusion protein that neutralizes placental growth factor (PlGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
Authors: Bagley Rebecca G. , Kurtzberg Leslie , Ren Yi , Weber William , Roth Stephanie , Krumbholz Roy , Crawford Jennifer , Bangari Dinesh , Pinckney Jason , Nguyen Cokey , Brondyk Bill , Schmid Steve , Kaplan Johanne , Teicher Beverly A. 
Published: February 2011

Introduction: PlGF and VEGF stimulate angiogenesis and promote the growth of tumor vasculature. PlGF is a member of the VEGF family and binds to VEGFR1. sFLT01 is a novel fusion protein comprised of the Fc portion of human IgG1 and the PlGF- and VEGF-binding domain of VEGFR1/Flt-1. The properties of sFLT01 and the potential of sFLT01 as an anti-angiogenic agent to inhibit tumor growth were investigated in several in vitro assays and in multiple xenograft tumor models.

Methods: The binding kinetics of sFLT01 for both the human and murine homologues of PlGF and VEGF were assessed by Biacore. The abilities of recombinant human PlGF and VEGF to induce endothelial cell and pericyte proliferation and of sFLT01 to inhibit this stimulation were investigated in cell-based assays. The secretion of human VEGF and PlGF in culture by the HT29 colon carcinoma, H460 lung carcinoma, and A673 sarcoma human cell lines was quantified by ELISA. In efficacy studies, sFLT01 was administered by intraperitoneal injection twice per week to immunodeficient mice bearing HT29, H460, or A673 subcutaneous tumors. Antibodies specific for human IgG and VEGR2 were applied to A673 sarcoma tumor sections from mice treated with sFLT01 to visualize sFLT01 in the tumors and determine VEGFR2 expression in the cellular components. Pericytes and endothelial cells were identified with antibodies against NG2 and CD31.

Results: The Biacore results indicated that sFLT01 has high affinity for human and murine PlGF and VEGF. Human recombinant PlGF and VEGF each induced the proliferation of human pericytes and endothelial cells in culture. This stimulation was inhibited by sFLT01. A673 sarcoma, HT29 colon and H460 lung carcinoma cells secreted higher levels of VEGF than PlGF in culture. In vivo, 10 mg/kg sFLT01 was effective at significantly slowing the growth of HT29 colon carcinoma and A673 sarcoma tumors compared to controls. Further analysis of the A673 sarcoma tumors in sFLT01-treated mice by immunohistochemistry revealed that sFLT01 penetrated multiple areas of the tumor. sFLT01 was detected in the vasculature, stroma, necrotic areas, and adjacent to malignant cells. sFLT01 treatment in the A673 model disrupted vessel integrity with a lack of association between endothelial cells and pericytes. A673 sarcoma cells expressed VEGFR2 in vivo.

Conclusion: sFLT01 neutralizes the angiogenic activity of multiple vasculogenic VEGF family members in vitro and inhibited the proliferation of cells that form blood vessels, endothelial cells and pericytes. In vivo, sFLT01 treatment resulted in disorganized tumor vasculature thereby slowing the growth of xenografts tumors. The expression of VEGFR2 in A673 sarcoma tumors suggests that VEGF may play a role in autocrine signaling in some malignant cells. sFLT01 has antitumor and antiangiogenic activity in several human tumor xenografts and may offer therapeutic benefit.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1388.