Abstract 4944: Evaluating the efficacy of spermine analogue ivospemin (SBP-101) in combination with chemotherapy in ovarian cancer
Authors: Holbert Cassandra E. , Foley Jackson R. , Stewart Tracy Murray , Walker Michael J. , Bruckheimer Elizabeth , Simpson Jennifer K. , Casero Robert A. 
Published: April 2023

Polyamines are small cationic alkylamines that play critical roles in essential cellular processes governing growth and proliferation. As such, cancers are fully reliant on increased polyamine pools maintained through dysregulation of polyamine metabolism. Pharmaceutical modulation of polyamine metabolism is a promising avenue in cancer therapeutics and has been attempted with enzyme inhibitors, including DFMO (difluoromethylornithine), and polyamine analogues. Ivospemin is a spermine analogue that has shown efficacy in slowing pancreatic and ovarian tumor progression both in vitro and in vivo and demonstrated encouraging results in pancreatic cancer clinical trials. We have shown that ivospemin decreases polyamine content through depression of the activity of the polyamine biosynthetic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in a variety of cancer cell lines. Treatment of the VDID8+ murine ovarian cancer model with ivospemin resulted in a marked increase in survival. Here we examine the potential of combining ivospemin and chemotherapeutic agents that are used to treat cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer. Treatment with gemcitabine, topotecan, and doxorubicin increased the in vitro toxicity of ivospemin, while paclitaxel and docetaxel did not have any added benefit over ivospemin alone. Using the VDID8+ model, we further evaluated the efficacy of ivospemin in combination with gemcitabine, topotecan, and doxorubicin in vivo. Ascites fluid was used as a marker of tumor burden and evaluated for polyamine content. Addition of ivospemin improved the survival of mice treated with any of the three chemotherapeutics. The ivospemin and doxorubicin combination mice had the greatest median survival time; this combination is being further evaluated in mechanistic studies and additional murine studies. Ovarian cancers have extremely immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TME) and metabolic reprogramming of the TME to reduce immunosuppressive phenotypes is a promising approach for treatment. Sustained elevation of polyamine levels supports an immunosuppressive TME, and evidence suggests that pharmacologic depletion of polyamines may reduce immunosuppressive phenotypes. DFMO treatment in the immunosuppressive VDID8+ model influences the immune cells of the TME, and we therefore are investigating the combination of ivospemin and DFMO in ovarian cancer. In addition to the cooperativity of ivospemin and chemotherapeutic agents, we have observed a cooperative antiproliferative response in ovarian cancer cells following DFMO and ivospemin cotreatment. Together, these studies suggest the potential of polyamine modulation by ivospemin and DFMO in combination with standard of care chemotherapy. Future studies will determine influences on the immune microenvironment and will evaluate cooperativity between ivospemin, DFMO, and chemotherapy.

Citation Format: Cassandra E. Holbert, Jackson R. Foley, Tracy Murray Stewart, Michael J. Walker, Elizabeth Bruckheimer, Jennifer K. Simpson, Robert A. Casero. Evaluating the efficacy of spermine analogue ivospemin (SBP-101) in combination with chemotherapy in ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 4944.