title: Direct targeting of alphavbeta3 integrin on tumor cells with a monoclonal antibody, Abegrin.
abstract: The humanized monoclonal antibody Abegrin, currently in phase II trials for treatment of solid tumors, specifically recognizes the integrin alphavbeta3. Due to its high expression on mature osteoclasts, angiogenic endothelial cells, and tumor cells, integrin alphavbeta3 functions in several pathologic processes important to tumor growth and metastasis. Targeting of this integrin with Abegrin results in antitumor, antiangiogenic, and antiosteolytic activities. Here, we exploit the species specificity of Abegrin to evaluate the effects of direct targeting of tumor cells (independent of targeting of endothelia or osteoclasts). Flow cytometry analysis of human tumor cell lines shows high levels of alphavbeta3 on many solid tumors, including cancers of the prostate, skin, ovary, kidney, lung, and breast. We also show that tumor growth of alphavbeta3-expressing tumor cells is inhibited by Abegrin in a dose-dependent manner. We present a novel finding that high-dose administration can actively impair the antitumor activity of Abegrin. We also provide evidence that antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity contributes to in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity. Finally, it was observed that peak biological activity of Abegrin arises at serum levels that are consistent with those achieved in clinical trials. These results support a concept that Abegrin can be used to achieve selective targeting of the many tumor cells that express alphavbeta3 integrin. In combination with the well-established concept that alphavbeta3 plays a key role in cancer-associated angiogenesis and osteolytic activities, this triad of activity could provide new opportunities for therapeutic targeting of cancer.
authors.affiliation: MedImmune, Inc., One Medimmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA.
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mulgrew
authors.forename: Krista
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kinneer
authors.forename: Xiao-Tao
authors.initials: XT
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Beth K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Melissa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Damschroder
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Su-Yau
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.forename: Changshou
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kiener
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coats
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kinch
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Tice
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D016513:Mice, SCID; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D013045:Species Specificity; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3; C112567:etaracizumab