1
|
González-Muñoz T, Di Giannatale A, García-Silva S, Santos V, Sánchez-Redondo S, Savini C, Graña-Castro O, Blanco-Aparicio C, Fischer S, De Wever O, Creus-Bachiller E, Ortega-Bertran S, Pisapia DJ, Rodríguez-Peralto JL, Fernández-Rodríguez J, Pérez-Portabella CR, Alaggio R, Benassi MS, Pazzaglia L, Scotlandi K, Ratner N, Yohay K, Theuer CP, Peinado H. Endoglin, a Novel Biomarker and Therapeutical Target to Prevent Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Growth and Metastasis. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:3744-3758. [PMID: 37432984 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-22-2462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are highly aggressive soft-tissue sarcomas that lack effective treatments, underscoring the urgent need to uncover novel mediators of MPNST pathogenesis that may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Tumor angiogenesis is considered a critical event in MPNST transformation and progression. Here, we have investigated whether endoglin (ENG), a TGFβ coreceptor with a crucial role in angiogenesis, could be a novel therapeutic target in MPNSTs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN ENG expression was evaluated in human peripheral nerve sheath tumor tissues and plasma samples. Effects of tumor cell-specific ENG expression on gene expression, signaling pathway activation and in vivo MPNST growth and metastasis, were investigated. The efficacy of ENG targeting in monotherapy or in combination with MEK inhibition was analyzed in xenograft models. RESULTS ENG expression was found to be upregulated in both human MPNST tumor tissues and plasma-circulating small extracellular vesicles. We demonstrated that ENG modulates Smad1/5 and MAPK/ERK pathway activation and pro-angiogenic and pro-metastatic gene expression in MPNST cells and plays an active role in tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Targeting with ENG-neutralizing antibodies (TRC105/M1043) decreased MPNST growth and metastasis in xenograft models by reducing tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Moreover, combination of anti-ENG therapy with MEK inhibition effectively reduced tumor cell growth and angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Our data unveil a tumor-promoting function of ENG in MPNSTs and support the use of this protein as a novel biomarker and a promising therapeutic target for this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teresa González-Muñoz
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Angela Di Giannatale
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Susana García-Silva
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Vanesa Santos
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Sánchez-Redondo
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Claudia Savini
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Patients in Science, Medical Writing and Communication, Valencia, Spain
| | - Osvaldo Graña-Castro
- Bioinformatics Unit, Structural Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Blanco-Aparicio
- Experimental Therapeutics Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Suzanne Fischer
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier De Wever
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancer Research, Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Edgar Creus-Bachiller
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Ortega-Bertran
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David J Pisapia
- Englander Institute of Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Jose L Rodríguez-Peralto
- Department of Dermatology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Complutense University of Madrid, Investigation institute I+12, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juana Fernández-Rodríguez
- Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain
- Plataforma Mouse Lab, Servicios Científico-Técnicos, IDIBELL, l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Rita Alaggio
- Pathology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Serena Benassi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Pazzaglia
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nancy Ratner
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Kaleb Yohay
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - Héctor Peinado
- Microenvironment and Metastasis Laboratory, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tripska K, Igreja Sá IC, Vasinova M, Vicen M, Havelek R, Eissazadeh S, Svobodova Z, Vitverova B, Theuer C, Bernabeu C, Nachtigal P. Monoclonal anti-endoglin antibody TRC105 (carotuximab) prevents hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction in human aortic endothelial cells. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:845918. [PMID: 36160139 PMCID: PMC9490272 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.845918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoglin (Eng) is a co-receptor of the transforming growth factor β superfamily playing an important role in endothelial dysfunction. TRC105 (carotuximab) is a monoclonal antibody that blocks Eng and its downstream Smad signaling pathway. Here we have investigated for the first time the effects of TRC105 treatment on the development of endothelial dysfunction induced by 7-ketocholesterol (7K) or high glucose (HG), focusing on Eng expression, signaling, and function. In the hypercholesterolemia study, human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) were treated with TRC105 (300 μg/ml) for 1 h, followed by the addition of 7K (10 μg/ml) for another 12 h. In the hyperglycemia study, HAoECs were exposed to HG (45 mM) for 60 h, followed by the addition of TRC105 for another 12 h, and cells treated with 5mM glucose and 40 mM mannitol served as control. Protein levels, adhesion, and transmigration of monocytes were assessed by flow cytometry, mRNA expression was measured by qRT-PCR. 7K and HG treatment increased protein levels of NF-κB and Eng and adhesion and transmigration of monocytes through HAoECs monolayer. TRC105 pretreatment reduced the 7K- or HG-induced Eng protein levels and pSmad1/5 and pSmad2/3 signaling. Despite increased protein levels of P-selectin and VCAM-1, TRC105 mediated blockage of Eng prevented 7K- and HG-induced adhesion and transmigration of monocytes through endothelial monolayers. These results suggest that TRC105-mediated Eng blockage can counteract the hypercholesterolemia- and hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction in HAoECs, suggesting that Eng might be a potential therapeutic target in disorders associated with elevated cholesterol and glucose levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Tripska
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
| | - Ivone Cristina Igreja Sá
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
| | - Martina Vasinova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
| | - Matej Vicen
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
| | - Radim Havelek
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
| | - Samira Eissazadeh
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
| | - Zuzana Svobodova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
| | - Barbora Vitverova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
| | - Charles Theuer
- Tracon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Carmelo Bernabeu
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Petr Nachtigal
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Petr Nachtigal,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Curcuminoids Inhibit Angiogenic Behaviors of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via Endoglin/Smad1 Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073889. [PMID: 35409247 PMCID: PMC8998963 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Angiogenesis is primarily attributed to the excessive proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. Targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is therefore significant in anti-angiogenic therapy. Although these treatments have not reached clinical expectations, the upregulation of alternative angiogenic pathways (endoglin/Smad1) may play a critical role in drug (VEGF-neutralizing agents) resistance. Enhanced endoglin expression following a VEGF-neutralizing therapy (semaxanib®) was noted in patients. Treatment with an endoglin-targeting antibody augmented VEGF expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Therefore, approaches that inhibit both the androgen and VEGF pathways enhance the HUVECs cytotoxicity and reverse semaxanib resistance. The purpose of this study was to find natural-occurring compounds that inhibited the endoglin-targeting pathway. Methods: Curcuminoids targeting endoglin were recognized from two thousand compounds in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database@Taiwan (TCM Database@Taiwan) using Discovery Studio 4.5. Results: Our results, obtained using cytotoxicity, migration/invasion, and flow cytometry assays, showed that curcumin (Cur) and demethoxycurcumin (DMC) reduced angiogenesis. In addition, Cur and DMC downregulated endoglin/pSmad1 phosphorylation. Conclusions: The study first showed that Cur and DMC demonstrated antiangiogenic activity via the inhibition of endoglin/Smad1 signaling. Synergistic effects of curcuminoids (i.e., curcumin and DMC) and semaxanib on HUVECs were found. This might be attributed to endoglin/pSmad1 downregulation in HUVECs. Combination treatment with curcuminoids and a semaxanib is therefore expected to reverse semaxanib resistance.
Collapse
|
4
|
Plasma levels of angiopoietin-2, VEGF-A, and VCAM-1 as markers of bevacizumab-induced hypertension: CALGB 80303 and 90401 (Alliance). Angiogenesis 2022; 25:47-55. [PMID: 34028627 PMCID: PMC8611102 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-021-09799-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Hypertension is a common toxicity induced by bevacizumab and other antiangiogenic drugs. There are no biomarkers to predict the risk of bevacizumab-induced hypertension. This study aimed to identify plasma proteins related to the function of the vasculature to predict the risk of severe bevacizumab-induced hypertension. Using pretreated plasma samples from 398 bevacizumab-treated patients in two clinical trials (CALGB 80303 and 90401), the levels of 17 proteins were measured via ELISA. The association between proteins and grade 3 bevacizumab-induced hypertension was performed by calculating the odds ratio (OR) from logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, and clinical trial. Using the optimal cut-point of each protein, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for hypertension were estimated. Five proteins showed no difference in levels between clinical trials and were used for analyses. Lower levels of angiopoietin-2 (p = 0.0013, OR 3.41, 95% CI 1.67-7.55), VEGF-A (p = 0.0008, OR 4.25, 95% CI 1.93-10.72), and VCAM-1 (p = 0.0067, OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.34-5.63) were associated with an increased risk of grade 3 hypertension. The multivariable model suggests independent effects of angiopoietin-2 (p = 0.0111, OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.29-6.10), VEGF-A (p = 0.0051, OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.54-9.73), and VCAM-1 (p = 0.0308, OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.10-4.92). The presence of low levels of 2-3 proteins had an OR of 10.06 (95% CI 3.92-34.18, p = 1.80 × 10-5) for the risk of hypertension, with sensitivity of 89.7%, specificity of 53.5%, PPV of 17.3%, and NPV of 97.9%. This is the first study providing evidence of plasma proteins with potential value to predict patients at risk of developing bevacizumab-induced hypertension.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00088894 (CALGB 80303); and NCT00110214 (CALGB 90401).
Collapse
|
5
|
Schoonderwoerd MJA, Hakuno SK, Sassen M, Kuhlemaijer EB, Paauwe M, Slingerland M, Fransen MF, Hawinkels LJAC. Targeting Endoglin Expressing Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment Does Not Inhibit Tumor Growth in a Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Model. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:5205-5220. [PMID: 34744438 PMCID: PMC8565992 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s322276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal forms of cancer and is known to have low immunogenicity and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. It is also characterized by high accumulation of dense stroma, composed of mostly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Multiple subsets of CAFs are described, with one of them expressing the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β co-receptor endoglin. In previous work, we and others have shown that endoglin-expressing CAFs stimulate tumor progression and metastasis. Therefore, in this study, we set out to investigate the role of endoglin-expressing CAFs in pancreatic cancer progression. Methods First, we investigated the expression of endoglin on CAFs in both human tissues as well as a mouse model for PDAC. Since CAF-specific endoglin expression was high, we targeted endoglin by using the endoglin neutralizing antibody TRC105 in the murine KPC model for PDAC. Results Although some signs of immune activation were observed, TRC105 did not affect tumor growth. Since 90% of the CD8+ T-cells expressed the immune checkpoint PD-1, we investigated the combination with a PD1 checkpoint inhibitor, which did not enhance therapeutic responses. Finally, genetic deletion of endoglin from collagen 1a1 expressing cells also did not affect the growth of the mouse KPC tumors. Conclusion Our results show that although endoglin is highly expressed on PDAC-CAFs and signaling is efficiently inhibited by TRC105, this does not result in decreased tumor growth in the KPC model for pancreatic cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark J A Schoonderwoerd
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sarah K Hakuno
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn Sassen
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Eleonore B Kuhlemaijer
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Madelon Paauwe
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marije Slingerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke F Fransen
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lukas J A C Hawinkels
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Endoglin in the Spotlight to Treat Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063186. [PMID: 33804796 PMCID: PMC8003971 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A spotlight has been shone on endoglin in recent years due to that fact of its potential to serve as both a reliable disease biomarker and a therapeutic target. Indeed, endoglin has now been assigned many roles in both physiological and pathological processes. From a molecular point of view, endoglin mainly acts as a co-receptor in the canonical TGFβ pathway, but also it may be shed and released from the membrane, giving rise to the soluble form, which also plays important roles in cell signaling. In cancer, in particular, endoglin may contribute to either an oncogenic or a non-oncogenic phenotype depending on the cell context. The fact that endoglin is expressed by neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells within the tumor microenvironment suggests new possibilities for targeted therapies. Here, we aimed to review and discuss the many roles played by endoglin in different tumor types, as well as the strong evidence provided by pre-clinical and clinical studies that supports the therapeutic targeting of endoglin as a novel clinical strategy.
Collapse
|
7
|
Nanobody-based chimeric antigen receptor T cells designed by CRISPR/Cas9 technology for solid tumor immunotherapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2021; 6:80. [PMID: 33627635 PMCID: PMC7904846 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-021-00462-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor-based T-cell immunotherapy is a promising strategy for treatment of hematological malignant tumors; however, its efficacy towards solid cancer remains challenging. We therefore focused on developing nanobody-based CAR-T cells that treat the solid tumor. CD105 expression is upregulated on neoangiogenic endothelial and cancer cells. CD105 has been developed as a drug target. Here we show the generation of a CD105-specific nanobody, an anti-human CD105 CAR-T cells, by inserting the sequences for anti-CD105 nanobody-linked standard cassette genes into AAVS1 site using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Co-culture with CD105+ target cells led to the activation of anti-CD105 CAR-T cells that displayed the typically activated cytotoxic T-cell characters, ability to proliferate, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the specific killing efficacy against CD105+ target cells in vitro. The in vivo treatment with anti-CD105 CAR-T cells significantly inhibited the growth of implanted CD105+ tumors, reduced tumor weight, and prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing NOD/SCID mice. Nanobody-based CAR-T cells can therefore function as an antitumor agent in human tumor xenograft models. Our findings determined that the strategy of nanobody-based CAR-T cells engineered by CRISPR/Cas9 system has a certain potential to treat solid tumor through targeting CD105 antigen.
Collapse
|
8
|
Liu Y, Paauwe M, Nixon AB, Hawinkels LJ. Endoglin Targeting: Lessons Learned and Questions That Remain. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010147. [PMID: 33375670 PMCID: PMC7795616 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 30 years ago, endoglin was identified as a transforming growth factor (TGF)-β coreceptor with a crucial role in developmental biology and tumor angiogenesis. Its selectively high expression on tumor vessels and its correlation with poor survival in cancer patients led to the exploration of endoglin as a therapeutic target for cancer. The endoglin neutralizing antibody TRC105 (Carotuximab®, Tracon Pharmaceuticals (San Diego, CA, USA) was subsequently tested in a wide variety of preclinical cancer models before being tested in phase I-III clinical studies in cancer patients as both a monotherapy and in combination with other chemotherapeutic and anti-angiogenic therapies. The combined data of these studies have revealed new insights into the role of endoglin in angiogenesis and its expression and functional role on other cells in the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we will summarize the preclinical work, clinical trials and biomarker studies of TRC105 and explore what these studies have enabled us to learn and what questions remain unanswered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingmiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (Y.L.); (A.B.N.)
| | - Madelon Paauwe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands;
| | - Andrew B. Nixon
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (Y.L.); (A.B.N.)
| | - Lukas J.A.C. Hawinkels
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-526-6736
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Liu Y, Lyu J, Bell Burdett K, Sibley AB, Hatch AJ, Starr MD, Brady JC, Hammond K, Marmorino F, Rossini D, Goldberg RM, Falcone A, Cremolini C, Owzar K, Ivanova A, Moore DT, Lee MS, Sanoff HK, Innocenti F, Nixon AB. Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Receiving Regorafenib. Mol Cancer Ther 2020; 19:2146-2154. [PMID: 32747417 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-20-0249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Regorafenib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with chemotherapy refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Regorafenib inhibits signaling through multiple receptors associated with angiogenesis, metastasis, and tumor immunity. Here, we report biomarker results from LCCC1029, a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase II trial of chemotherapy ± regorafenib in patients with second-line mCRC. A panel of 20 soluble protein biomarkers (termed the Angiome) was assessed in the plasma of 149 patients from the LCCC1029 trial both at baseline and along the treatment continuum. Baseline protein levels were analyzed for prognostic and predictive value for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Changes in protein levels during treatment were analyzed for potential pharmacodynamic effects. Six markers (HGF, IL6, PlGF, VEGF-R1, OPN, and IL6R) were found to be prognostic for PFS. Nine markers (IL6, TIMP-1, PlGF, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, OPN, TSP-2, HGF, and VEGF-R1) were prognostic for OS. Higher baseline levels of OPN (P intx = 0.0167), VCAM-1 (P intx = 0.0216), and PDGF-AA (P intx = 0.0435) appeared to predict for PFS benefit from regorafenib compared with placebo. VCAM-1 was also potentially predictive of OS benefit from regorafenib compared with placebo (P intx = 0.0124). On-treatment changes of six markers reflected potential on-target effect of regorafenib. Consistent results were observed in an Italian cohort where 105 patients with late-stage mCRC received regorafenib monotherapy. The key findings of this study suggest that VCAM-1 may be a predictive biomarker for regorafenib benefit, while multiple protein markers may be prognostic of outcome in patients with mCRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingmiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jing Lyu
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | | | - Ace J Hatch
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Mark D Starr
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - John C Brady
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kelli Hammond
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Federica Marmorino
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero- Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniele Rossini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero- Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Alfredo Falcone
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero- Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Cremolini
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliero- Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Kouros Owzar
- Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, North Carolina.,Duke Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Anastasia Ivanova
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Dominic T Moore
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Michael S Lee
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Hanna K Sanoff
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Federico Innocenti
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Andrew B Nixon
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Schoonderwoerd MJA, Koops MFM, Angela RA, Koolmoes B, Toitou M, Paauwe M, Barnhoorn MC, Liu Y, Sier CFM, Hardwick JCH, Nixon AB, Theuer CP, Fransen MF, Hawinkels LJAC. Targeting Endoglin-Expressing Regulatory T Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment Enhances the Effect of PD1 Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 2020; 26:3831-3842. [PMID: 32332012 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-19-2889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Endoglin is a coreceptor for TGFβ ligands that is highly expressed on proliferating endothelial cells and other cells in the tumor microenvironment. Clinical studies have noted increased programmed cell death (PD)-1 expression on cytotoxic T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with cancer treated with TRC105, an endoglin-targeting antibody. In this study, we investigated the combination of endoglin antibodies (TRC105 and M1043) with an anti-PD1 antibody. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN The combination anti-endoglin/anti-PD1 antibodies was tested in four preclinical mouse models representing different stages of cancer development. To investigate the underlying mechanism, Fc-receptor-knockout mice were used complemented with depletion of multiple immune subsets in mice. Tumor growth and the composition of immune infiltrate were analyzed by flow cytometry. Finally, human colorectal cancer specimens were analyzed for presence of endoglin-expressing regulatory T cells (Treg). RESULTS In all models, the combination of endoglin antibody and PD1 inhibition produced durable tumor responses, leading to complete regressions in 30% to 40% of the mice. These effects were dependent on the presence of Fcγ receptors, indicating the involvement of antibody-dependent cytotoxic responses and the presence of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and CD4+ Th cells. Interestingly, treatment with the endoglin antibody, TRC105, significantly decreased the number of intratumoral Tregs. Endoglin-expressing Tregs were also detected in human colorectal cancer specimens. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these data provide a rationale for combining TRC105 and anti-PD1 therapy and provide additional evidence of endoglin's immunomodulatory role.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark J A Schoonderwoerd
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike F M Koops
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ricardo A Angela
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bryan Koolmoes
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Melpomeni Toitou
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Madelon Paauwe
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke C Barnhoorn
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Yingmiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Cornelis F M Sier
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - James C H Hardwick
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andrew B Nixon
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Marieke F Fransen
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lukas J A C Hawinkels
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits tumor angiogenesis: involvement of endoglin/Smad1 signaling in human umbilical vein endothelium cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 120:109491. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
|
12
|
Shen W, Lee SR, Yam M, Zhu L, Zhang T, Pye V, Mathai AE, Shibagaki K, Zhang JZ, Matsugi T, Gillies MC. A Combination Therapy Targeting Endoglin and VEGF-A Prevents Subretinal Fibro-Neovascularization Caused by Induced Müller Cell Disruption. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:6075-6088. [PMID: 30592496 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-25628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Subretinal fibroneovascularization is one of the most common causes of vision loss in neovascular AMD (nAMD). Anti-VEGF therapy effectively inhibits vascular leak and neovascularization but has little effect on fibrosis. This study aimed to identify a combination therapy to concurrently inhibit subretinal neovascularization and prevent fibrosis. Methods We generated transgenic mice in which induced disruption of Müller cells leads to subretinal neovascularization, which is reliably accompanied by subretinal fibrosis. We conducted Western blots and immunohistochemistry to study changes in transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling including endoglin, a coreceptor essential for TGFβ signaling, and then tested the effects of monthly intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF-A and anti-endoglin, either alone or in combination, on the development of subretinal fibroneovascularization in our transgenic mice. Results Müller cell disruption increased expression of TGFβ1, TGFβ type 1 receptor, and phosphorylated-Smad3. Endoglin was strongly expressed in subretinal fibroneovascular tissue. Fluorescein angiography and measurements of retinal vascular permeability indicated that intravitreal anti-VEGF-A in combination with anti-endoglin treatment more efficiently inhibited vascular leak compared with either monotherapy. Immunostaining of retinal wholemounts with antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 indicated that the combination therapy also effectively prevented subretinal fibrosis and inhibited microglial activation. Luminex cytokine assays indicated that intravitreal anti-VEGF-A and anti-endoglin treatment, either alone or in combination, reduced the production of IL33 and macrophage inflammatory protein-3α. Conclusions Our findings offer a potentially novel combination approach to concurrently managing subretinal neovascularization and fibrosis in nAMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiyong Shen
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - So-Ra Lee
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle Yam
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ling Zhu
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ting Zhang
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Victoria Pye
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ashish Easow Mathai
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Keiichi Shibagaki
- Department of Non-Clinical Research, Global R&D, Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nara, Japan
| | - Jin-Zhong Zhang
- Department of Non-Clinical Research, Global R&D, Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nara, Japan
| | - Takeshi Matsugi
- Department of Non-Clinical Research, Global R&D, Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nara, Japan
| | - Mark C Gillies
- The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Liu Y, Starr MD, Brady JC, Rushing C, Pang H, Adams B, Alvarez D, Theuer CP, Hurwitz HI, Nixon AB. Modulation of Circulating Protein Biomarkers in Cancer Patients Receiving Bevacizumab and the Anti-Endoglin Antibody, TRC105. Mol Cancer Ther 2018; 17:2248-2256. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
14
|
Zhao C, Isenberg JS, Popel AS. Human expression patterns: qualitative and quantitative analysis of thrombospondin-1 under physiological and pathological conditions. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:2086-2097. [PMID: 29441713 PMCID: PMC5867078 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a matricellular protein and one of the first endogenous anti-angiogenic molecules identified, has long been considered a potent modulator of human diseases. While the therapeutic effect of TSP-1 to suppress cancer was investigated in both research and clinical settings, the mechanisms of how TSP-1 is regulated in cancer remain elusive, and the scientific answers to the question of whether TSP-1 expressions can be utilized as diagnostic or prognostic marker for patients with cancer are largely inconsistent. Moreover, TSP-1 plays crucial functions in angiogenesis, inflammation and tissue remodelling, which are essential biological processes in the progression of many cardiovascular diseases, and therefore, its dysregulated expressions in such conditions may have therapeutic significance. Herein, we critically analysed the literature pertaining to TSP-1 expression in circulating blood and pathological tissues in various types of cancer as well as cardiovascular and inflammation-related diseases in humans. We compare the secretion rates of TSP-1 by different cancer and non-cancer cells and discuss the potential connection between the expression changes of TSP-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) observed in patients with cancer. Moreover, the pattern and emerging significance of TSP-1 profiles in cardiovascular disease, such as peripheral arterial disease, diabetes and other related non-cancer disorders, are highlighted. The analysis of published TSP-1 data presented in this review may have implications for the future exploration of novel TSP-1-based treatment strategies for cancer and cardiovascular-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhao
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringSchool of MedicineJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Jeffrey S. Isenberg
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical CareDepartment of MedicineHeart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine InstituteUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Aleksander S. Popel
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringSchool of MedicineJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMDUSA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ollauri-Ibáñez C, López-Novoa JM, Pericacho M. Endoglin-based biological therapy in the treatment of angiogenesis-dependent pathologies. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2017; 17:1053-1063. [PMID: 28656781 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2017.1346607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alterations in the process of angiogenesis, either by excess or by defect, are present in different common pathologies. For this reason, great efforts are being made toward the development of pro- and anti-angiogenic therapies. Since endoglin levels are enhanced in tissues undergoing angiogenesis, and changes in its expression lead to alterations in vessel formation, endoglin has become an ideal target for these types of therapies. Areas covered: In this review, the role of endoglin in angiogenesis is summarized. In addition, the authors review pro- and anti-angiogenic therapies that are currently being used and new approaches that target endoglin. The article includes therapies that are both in preclinical and clinical development. Expert opinion: Endoglin is a very good target for anti-angiogenic therapy, as demonstrated by the positive results obtained with anti-endoglin antibodies. However, although endoglin in pro-angiogenic therapies has been successful in vitro, its use has not yet reached clinical settings. Moreover, the authors believe that establishing the exact role of endoglin in angiogenesis is essential and that this should be the next step in this field in the coming years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Ollauri-Ibáñez
- a Department of Physiology and Pharmacology , University of Salamanca , Salamanca , Spain.,b Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL) , Salamanca , Spain
| | - José M López-Novoa
- a Department of Physiology and Pharmacology , University of Salamanca , Salamanca , Spain.,b Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL) , Salamanca , Spain
| | - Miguel Pericacho
- a Department of Physiology and Pharmacology , University of Salamanca , Salamanca , Spain.,b Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL) , Salamanca , Spain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Duffy AG, Ma C, Ulahannan SV, Rahma OE, Makarova-Rusher O, Cao L, Yu Y, Kleiner DE, Trepel J, Lee MJ, Tomita Y, Steinberg SM, Heller T, Turkbey B, Choyke PL, Peer CJ, Figg WD, Wood BJ, Greten TF. Phase I and Preliminary Phase II Study of TRC105 in Combination with Sorafenib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:4633-4641. [PMID: 28465443 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-3171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Endoglin (CD105) is an endothelial cell membrane receptor highly expressed on proliferating tumor vasculature, including that of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and is associated with poor prognosis. Endoglin is essential for angiogenesis, and its expression is induced by hypoxia and VEGF pathway inhibition. TRC105 is a chimeric IgG1 CD105 mAb that inhibits angiogenesis and causes antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and apoptosis of proliferating endothelium.Experimental Design: Patients with HCC (Child-Pugh A/B7), ECOG 0/1, were enrolled in a phase I study of TRC105 at 3, 6, 10, and 15 mg/kg every 2 weeks given with sorafenib 400 mg twice daily. Correlative biomarkers included DCE-MRI and plasma levels of angiogenic factors, including soluble endoglin. Pharmacokinetics were assessed in serum.Results: Twenty-six patients were enrolled, of whom 25 received treatment, 15 with cirrhosis. Hep B/C: 3/15; M:F 19:6; mean age of 60 (range, 18-76); 1 DLT (grade 3 AST) occurred at 10 mg/kg. The most frequent toxicity was low-grade epistaxis, a known toxicity of TRC105. One patient experienced an infusion reaction and was replaced. One patient with coronary stenosis developed a fatal myocardial infarction, and one patient developed G3 cerebral tumor hemorrhage. MTD was not established and DL4 (15 mg/kg) was expanded. The overall response rate in 24 evaluable patients at all 4 dose levels was 21% [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.1-42.2], and 25% (95% CI, 8.7-49.1) in patients with measureable disease. Four patients had confirmed stable disease, one of whom was treated for 22 months. Median progression-free survival (PFS) for 24 patients evaluable for PFS was 3.8 months (95% CI, 3.2-5.6 months); median overall survival was 15.5 months (95% CI, 8.5-26.3 months).Conclusions: TRC105 combined with sorafenib was well tolerated at the recommended single agent doses of both drugs. Encouraging evidence of activity to date (PR rate 25%) was observed, and the study is now continuing to recruit in the phase II stage as a multicenter study to confirm activity of the combination. Clin Cancer Res; 23(16); 4633-41. ©2017 AACR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Austin G Duffy
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland.
| | - Chi Ma
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Susanna V Ulahannan
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Osama E Rahma
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Oxana Makarova-Rusher
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Liang Cao
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yunkai Yu
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David E Kleiner
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jane Trepel
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Min-Jung Lee
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yusuke Tomita
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Seth M Steinberg
- Biostatistics and Data Management Section, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Theo Heller
- Liver Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Baris Turkbey
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Peter L Choyke
- Molecular Imaging Program, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Cody J Peer
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - William D Figg
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Brad J Wood
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Center for Cancer Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Tim F Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, Bethesda, Maryland.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Paauwe M, Heijkants RC, Oudt CH, van Pelt GW, Cui C, Theuer CP, Hardwick JCH, Sier CFM, Hawinkels LJAC. Endoglin targeting inhibits tumor angiogenesis and metastatic spread in breast cancer. Oncogene 2016; 35:4069-79. [PMID: 26804178 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Endoglin, a transforming growth factor-β co-receptor, is highly expressed on angiogenic endothelial cells in solid tumors. Therefore, targeting endoglin is currently being explored in clinical trials for anti-angiogenic therapy. In this project, the redundancy between endoglin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling in angiogenesis and the effects of targeting both pathways on breast cancer metastasis were explored. In patient samples, increased endoglin signaling after VEGF inhibition was observed. In vitro TRC105, an endoglin-neutralizing antibody, increased VEGF signaling in endothelial cells. Moreover, combined targeting of the endoglin and VEGF pathway, with the VEGF receptor kinase inhibitor SU5416, increased antiangiogenic effects in vitro and in a zebrafish angiogenesis model. Next, in a mouse model for invasive lobular breast cancer, the effects of TRC105 and SU5416 on tumor growth and metastasis were explored. Although TRC105 and SU5416 decreased tumor vascular density, tumor volume was unaffected. Strikingly, in mice treated with TRC105, or TRC105 and SU5416 combined, a strong inhibition in the number of metastases was seen. Moreover, upon resection of the primary tumor, strong inhibition of metastatic spread by TRC105 was observed in an adjuvant setting. To confirm these data, we assessed the effects of endoglin-Fc (an endoglin ligand trap) on metastasis formation. Similar to treatment with TRC105 in the resection model, endoglin-Fc-expressing tumors showed strong inhibition of distant metastases. These results show, for the first time, that targeting endoglin, either with neutralizing antibodies or a ligand trap, strongly inhibits metastatic spread of breast cancer in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Paauwe
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R C Heijkants
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C H Oudt
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - G W van Pelt
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C Cui
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C P Theuer
- Tracon Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - J C H Hardwick
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - C F M Sier
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - L J A C Hawinkels
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Duffy AG, Ulahannan SV, Cao L, Rahma OE, Makarova-Rusher OV, Kleiner DE, Fioravanti S, Walker M, Carey S, Yu Y, Venkatesan AM, Turkbey B, Choyke P, Trepel J, Bollen KC, Steinberg SM, Figg WD, Greten TF. A phase II study of TRC105 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who have progressed on sorafenib. United European Gastroenterol J 2015; 3:453-61. [PMID: 26535124 DOI: 10.1177/2050640615583587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endoglin is an endothelial cell membrane receptor essential for angiogenesis and highly expressed on the vasculature of many tumor types, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TRC105 is a chimeric IgG1 anti-CD105 monoclonal antibody that inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth by endothelial cell growth inhibition, ADCC and apoptosis, and complements VEGF inhibitors. OBJECTIVE The aim of this phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy of anti-endoglin therapy with TRC105 in patients with advanced HCC, post-sorafenib. METHODS Patients with HCC and compensated liver function (Childs-Pugh A/B7), ECOG 0/1, were enrolled to a single-arm, phase II study of TRC105 15 mg/kg IV every two weeks. Patients must have progressed on or been intolerant of prior sorafenib. A Simon optimal two-stage design was employed with a 50% four-month PFS target for progression to the second stage. Correlative biomarkers evaluated included DCE-MRI as well as plasma levels of angiogenic biomarkers and soluble CD105. RESULTS A total accrual of 27 patients was planned. However, because of lack of efficacy and in accordance with the Simon two-stage design, 11 patients were enrolled. There were no grade 3/4 treatment-related toxicities. Most frequent toxicities were headache (G2; N = 3) and epistaxis (G1; N = 4). One patient had a confirmed partial response by standard RECIST criteria and biologic response on DCE-MRI but the four-month PFS was insufficient to proceed to the second stage of the study. CONCLUSIONS TRC105 was well tolerated in this HCC population following sorafenib. Although there was evidence of clinical activity, this did not meet prespecified criteria to proceed to the second stage. TRC105 development in HCC continues as combination therapy with sorafenib.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A G Duffy
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, USA
| | - S V Ulahannan
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, USA
| | - L Cao
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - O E Rahma
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, USA
| | - O V Makarova-Rusher
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, USA
| | - D E Kleiner
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - S Fioravanti
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, USA
| | - M Walker
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, USA
| | - S Carey
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, USA
| | - Y Yu
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - A M Venkatesan
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - B Turkbey
- Molecular Imaging Department, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - P Choyke
- Molecular Imaging Department, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - J Trepel
- Developmental Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - K C Bollen
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - S M Steinberg
- Biostatistics and Data Management, Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - W D Figg
- Clinical Pharmacology Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - T F Greten
- Gastrointestinal Malignancies Section, Thoracic-GI Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ramchandani D, Weber GF. Interactions between osteopontin and vascular endothelial growth factor: Implications for cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2015; 1855:202-22. [PMID: 25732057 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2015.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Revised: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
For this comprehensive review, 257 publications with the keywords "osteopontin" or "OPN" and "vascular endothelial growth factor" or "VEGF" in PubMed were screened (time frame from year 1996 to year 2014). 37 articles were excluded because they were not focused on the interactions between these molecules, and papers relevant for transformation-related phenomena were selected. Osteopontin (OPN) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are characterized by a convergence in function for regulating cell motility and angiogenesis, the response to hypoxia, and apoptosis. Often, they are co-expressed or one molecule induces the other, however, in some settings OPN-associated pathways and VEGF-associated pathways are distinct. Their relationships affect the pathogenesis in cancer, where they contribute to progression and angiogenesis and serve as markers for poor prognosis. The inhibition of OPN may reduce VEGF levels and suppress tumor progression. In vascular pathologies, these two cytokines mediate remodeling, but may also perpetuate inflammation and narrowing of the arteries. OPN and VEGF are elevated and contribute to vascularization in inflammatory diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Georg F Weber
- James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Liu Y, Starr MD, Brady JC, Rushing C, Bulusu A, Pang H, Honeycutt W, Amara A, Altomare I, Uronis HE, Hurwitz HI, Nixon AB. Biomarker signatures correlate with clinical outcome in refractory metastatic colorectal cancer patients receiving bevacizumab and everolimus. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:1048-56. [PMID: 25695956 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0923-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A novel combination of bevacizumab and everolimus was evaluated in refractory colorectal cancer patients in a phase II trial. In this retrospective analysis, plasma samples from 49 patients were tested for over 40 biomarkers at baseline and after one or two cycles of drug administration. Analyte levels at baseline and change on-treatment were correlated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using univariate Cox proportional hazard modeling. Multivariable analyses were conducted using Cox modeling. Significant changes in multiple markers were observed following bevacizumab and everolimus treatment. Baseline levels of six markers significantly correlated with PFS and OS, including CRP, Gro-α, IGFBP-1, TF, ICAM-1, and TSP-2 (P < 0.05). At C2D1, changes of IGFBP-3, TGFβ-R3, and IGFBP-2 correlated with PFS and OS. Prognostic models were developed for OS and PFS (P = 0.0002 and 0.004, respectively). The baseline model for OS consisted of CRP, Gro-α, and TF, while the on-treatment model at C2D1 included IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3, and TGFβ-R3. These data demonstrated that multiple biomarkers were significantly modulated in response to bevacizumab and everolimus. Several markers correlated with both PFS and OS. Interestingly, these markers are known to be associated with inflammation and IGF signaling, key modulators of mTOR biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingmiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Mark D Starr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - John C Brady
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Christel Rushing
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Anuradha Bulusu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Herbert Pang
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. School of Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wanda Honeycutt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Anthony Amara
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ivy Altomare
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Hope E Uronis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Herbert I Hurwitz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Andrew B Nixon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Pal K, Pletnev AA, Dutta SK, Wang E, Zhao R, Baral A, Yadav VK, Aggarwal S, Krishnaswamy S, Alkharfy KM, Chowdhury S, Spaller MR, Mukhopadhyay D. Inhibition of endoglin-GIPC interaction inhibits pancreatic cancer cell growth. Mol Cancer Ther 2014; 13:2264-75. [PMID: 25125675 PMCID: PMC4229952 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-14-0291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Endoglin, a 180-kDa disulfide-linked homodimeric transmembrane receptor protein mostly expressed in tumor-associated endothelial cells, is an endogenous binding partner of GAIP-interacting protein, C terminus (GIPC). Endoglin functions as a coreceptor of TβRII that binds TGFβ and is important for vascular development, and consequently has become a compelling target for antiangiogenic therapies. A few recent studies in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), breast cancer, and ovarian cancer, however, suggest that endoglin is upregulated in tumor cells and is associated with poor prognosis. These findings indicate a broader role of endoglin in tumor biology, beyond angiogenic effects. The goal of our current study is to evaluate the effects of targeting endoglin in pancreatic cancer both in vitro and in vivo. We analyzed the antiproliferative effect of both RNAi-based and peptide ligand-based inhibition of endoglin in pancreatic cancer cell lines, the latter yielding a GIPC PDZ domain-targeting lipopeptide with notable antiproliferative activity. We further demonstrated that endoglin inhibition induced a differentiation phenotype in the pancreatic cancer cells and sensitized them against conventional chemotherapeutic drug gemcitabine. Most importantly, we have demonstrated the antitumor effect of both RNAi-based and competitive inhibitor-based blocking of endoglin in pancreatic cancer xenograft models in vivo. To our knowledge, this is the first report exploring the effect of targeting endoglin in pancreatic cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krishnendu Pal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Alexandre A Pletnev
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Shamit K Dutta
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Enfeng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Ruizhi Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Aradhita Baral
- Proteomics and Structural Biology Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Vinod Kumar Yadav
- G.N.R. Knowledge Center for Genome Informatics, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Suruchi Aggarwal
- G.N.R. Knowledge Center for Genome Informatics, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Khalid M Alkharfy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Department of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shantanu Chowdhury
- Proteomics and Structural Biology Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India. G.N.R. Knowledge Center for Genome Informatics, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Mark R Spaller
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Barnett JM, Suarez S, McCollum GW, Penn JS. Endoglin promotes angiogenesis in cell- and animal-based models of retinal neovascularization. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2014; 55:6490-8. [PMID: 25159209 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-14945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated endoglin expression in hypoxic microvascular endothelial cells and retinal endoglin expression in rats that develop experimental oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). We also tested neutralizing antibodies (Abs) against endoglin (anti-CD105 Ab) and VEGF (anti-VEGF Ab) either alone or in combination for efficacy against serum-induced retinal microvascular endothelial cell proliferation and retinal neovascularization (NV) in OIR rats. To our knowledge, this marks the first time that a biologic agent has been used to target retinal endoglin and modulate retinal neovascularization. METHODS Induction of endoglin by hypoxia was measured by immunohistochemical analysis and ELISA. Proliferation was quantified using a colorimetric 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine ELISA. Western blots were used to measure endoglin levels in retinas of OIR rats. Immunohistochemical staining was also preformed in OIR rats using anti-CD105 and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated isolectin B4 antibodies. RESULTS Anti-CD105 Ab and Anti-VEGF Ab, administered alone or in combination, reduced serum-induced retinal microvascular endothelial cell proliferation. Additionally, in a rat model of oxygen-induced retinopathy, retinal endoglin was significantly increased at 14(2), 14(3), 14(4) and 14(6) compared with retinal levels in control rats. At 14(2), immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that endoglin was elevated in newly developed vessels at the peripheral extent of major veins, precisely where NV is expected to develop in OIR rats. Neutralizing anti-CD105 reduced retinal NV in OIR rats. CONCLUSIONS Our data support other studies showing that reduction of endoglin expression inhibits retinal NV. Our findings demonstrate that retinal endoglin immunolocalization overlaps with nascent neovascular structures in OIR rats. Therefore, endoglin may serve as a useful predictor of incipient neovascular disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Barnett
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Sandra Suarez
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Gary W McCollum
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - John S Penn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Liu Y, Tian H, Blobe GC, Theuer CP, Hurwitz HI, Nixon AB. Effects of the combination of TRC105 and bevacizumab on endothelial cell biology. Invest New Drugs 2014; 32:851-9. [PMID: 24994097 PMCID: PMC4169868 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-014-0129-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Endoglin, or CD105, is a cell membrane glycoprotein that is overexpressed on proliferating endothelial cells (EC), including those found in malignancies and choroidal neovascularization. Endoglin mediates the transition from quiescent endothelium, characterized by the relatively dominant state of Smad 2/3 phosphorylation, to active angiogenesis by preferentially phosphorylating Smad 1/5/8. The monoclonal antibody TRC105 binds endoglin with high avidity and is currently being tested in phase 1b and phase 2 clinical trials. In this report, we evaluated the effects of TRC105 on primary human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) as a single agent and in combination with bevacizumab. As single agents, both TRC105 and bevacizumab efficiently blocked HUVEC tube formation, and the combination of both agents achieved even greater levels of inhibition. We further assessed the effects of each drug on various aspects of HUVEC function. While bevacizumab was observed to inhibit HUVEC viability in nutrient-limited medium, TRC105 had little effect on HUVEC viability, either alone or in combination with bevacizumab. Additionally, both drugs inhibited HUVEC migration and induced apoptosis. At the molecular level, TRC105 treatment of HUVEC lead to decreased Smad 1/5/8 phosphorylation in response to BMP-9, a primary ligand for endoglin. Together, these results indicate that TRC105 acts as an effective anti-angiogenic agent alone and in combination with bevacizumab.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingmiao Liu
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2631, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Hongyu Tian
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2631, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Gerard C. Blobe
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2631, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | | | - Herbert I. Hurwitz
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2631, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Andrew B. Nixon
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2631, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| |
Collapse
|