angiotensin-i and Sarcoma

In a phase I study of angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)], clinical benefit was associated with reduction in plasma placental growth factor (PlGF) concentrations. The current study examines Ang-(1-7) induced changes in biomarkers according to cancer type and investigates mechanisms of action engaged in vitro.. Plasma biomarkers were measured prior to Ang-(1-7) administration as well as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 hours after treatment. Tests for interaction were performed to determine the impact of cancer type on angiogenic hormone levels. If a positive interaction was detected, treatment-induced biomarker changes for individual cancer types were assessed. To investigate mechanisms of action, in vitro growth assays were performed using a murine endothelioma cell line (EOMA). PCR arrays were performed to identify and statistically validate genes that were altered by Ang-(1-7) treatment in these cells.. Tests for interaction controlled for dose cohort and clinical response indicated a significant impact of cancer type on post-treatment VEGF and PlGF levels. Following treatment, PlGF levels decreased over time in patients with sarcoma (P = .007). Treatment of EOMA cells with increasing doses of Ang-(1-7) led to significant growth suppression at doses as low as 100 nM. PCR arrays identified 18 genes that appeared to have altered expression after Ang-(1-7) treatment. Replicate analyses confirmed significant changes in 8 genes including reduction in PlGF (P = .04) and hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression (P < .001).. Ang-(1-7) has clinical and pre-clinical activity for vascular sarcomas that is linked to reduced HIF-1α and PlGF expression.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Analysis of Variance; Angiotensin I; Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Female; Gene Expression Profiling; Humans; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; Male; Mice; Middle Aged; Neoplasms, Vascular Tissue; Peptide Fragments; Placenta Growth Factor; Pregnancy Proteins; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sarcoma