Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and its derivatives have been reported to possess antiangiogenic effect via electrostatic interaction with various angiogenic growth factors such as VEGF165. However, clinical applications of LMWH for anticancer therapy have been restricted due to its anticoagulant effect and insufficient therapeutic efficacy. To overcome these limitations and enhance the antiangiogenic efficacy, LMWH was conjugated with suramin fragments that have a binding affinity to the heparin-binding domain (HBD) of proteins. The conjugation of suramin fragments to LMWH enhanced the antiangiogenic effect of LMWH by increasing the binding affinity to VEGF165, while decreasing its anticoagulant activity. The chemical conjugate of LMWH and suramin fragments (LHsura) showed a substantial inhibitory effect on VEGF165-mediated cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs without significant cytotoxicity in vitro. Finally, we confirmed the anticancer effect of LHsura (61.4% vs control) in a SCC7-bearing mouse model.
Keywords: VEGF165; angiogenesis inhibitor; chemical conjugate; low molecular weight heparin; suramin.