Identification of biomarkers for the antiangiogenic and antitumour activity of the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) inhibitor tetrathiomolybdate (ATN-224)

Br J Cancer. 2008 Feb 26;98(4):776-83. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604226. Epub 2008 Feb 5.

Abstract

Tetrathiomolybdate (choline salt; ATN-224), a specific, high-affinity copper binder, is currently being evaluated in several phase II cancer trials. ATN-224 inhibits CuZn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) leading to antiangiogenic and antitumour effects. The pharmacodynamics of tetrathiomolybdate has been followed by tracking ceruloplasmin (Cp), a biomarker for systemic copper. However, at least in mice, the inhibition of angiogenesis occurs before a measurable decrease in systemic copper is observed. Thus, the identification and characterisation of other biomarkers to follow the activity of ATN-224 in the clinic is of great interest. Here, we present the preclinical evaluation of two potential biomarkers for the activity of ATN-224: (i) SOD activity measurements in blood cells in mice and (ii) levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in bonnet macaques treated with ATN-224. The superoxide dismutase activity in blood cells in mice is rapidly inhibited by ATN-224 treatment at doses at which angiogenesis is maximally inhibited. Furthermore, ATN-224 dosing in bonnet macaques causes a profound and reversible decrease in EPCs without significant toxicity. Thus, both SOD activity measurements and levels of EPCs may be useful biomarkers of the antiangiogenic activity of ATN-224 to be used in its clinical development.

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Blood Cells / drug effects
  • Blood Cells / metabolism
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Copper / metabolism
  • Drug Combinations
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Laminin / metabolism
  • Macaca radiata
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Molybdenum / pharmacology*
  • Proteoglycans / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Superoxide Dismutase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Biomarkers
  • Drug Combinations
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Laminin
  • Proteoglycans
  • matrigel
  • Copper
  • Molybdenum
  • Collagen
  • tetrathiomolybdate
  • Sod1 protein, mouse
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1