Porphyrin analogues as novel antagonists of fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor binding that inhibit endothelial cell proliferation, tumor progression, and metastasis.

Abstract

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play a pivotal role in the multistep pathway of tumor progression, metastasis, and angiogenesis. We have identified a porphyrin analogue, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(methyl-4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine-tetra -p-tosylate salt (TMPP), as a potent inhibitor of FGF2 and VEGF receptor binding and activation. TMPP demonstrated potent inhibition of binding of soluble FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) to FGF2 immobilized on heparin at submicromolar concentrations. TMPP inhibits binding of radiolabeled FGF2 to FGFR in a cell-free system as well as to cells genetically engineered to express FGFR1. Furthermore, TMPP also inhibits the binding of VEGF to its tyrosine kinase receptor in a dose-dependent manner. In an in vitro angiogenic assay measuring the extent of endothelial cell growth, tube formation, and sprouting, TMPP dramatically reduced the extent of the FGF2-induced endothelial cell outgrowth and differentiation. In a Lewis lung carcinoma model, mice receiving TMPP showed a marked inhibition of both primary tumor progression and lung metastases development, with nearly total inhibition of the metastatic phenotype upon alternate daily injections of TMPP at 25 microg/g of body mass. Finally, novel meso-pyridylium-substituted, nonsymmetric porphyrins, as well as a novel corrole-based derivative, with >50-fold increase in activity in vitro, had a significantly improved efficacy in blocking tumor progression and metastasis in vivo.

• Authors: D Aviezer, S Cotton, M David, A Segev, N Khaselev, N Galili, Z Gross, A Yayon
• Journal: Cancer research (Cancer Res) Vol. 60 Issue 11 Pg. 2973-80 (Jun 01 2000) ISSN: 0008-5472 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10850445 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Porphyrins
• Receptors, Growth Factor
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
• tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphine
• Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
• Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Topics

• Animals
• Aorta (drug effects)
• Carcinoma, Lewis Lung (drug therapy)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Disease Progression
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Endothelium, Vascular (drug effects)
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (secondary)
• Male
• Mice
• Neoplasms, Experimental (drug therapy)
• Phenotype
• Porphyrins (chemical synthesis, chemistry, metabolism, pharmacology)
• Protein Binding (drug effects)
• Rats
• Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Receptors, Growth Factor (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
• Recombinant Fusion Proteins (metabolism)
• Time Factors