bay-12-9566 and Breast-Neoplasms

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis associated with human cancer by mediating the degradation of extracellular matrix components. In this paper, we report data that show that BAY 12-9566, a novel inhibitor of MMPs, inhibits angiogenesis, tumor regrowth, and the growth of lung metastases. BAY 12-9566, at 15-100 microM, inhibited tubule formation by human endothelial cells in an in vitro model, but did not prevent the proliferation of endothelial and human breast cancer cells. In the MDA-MB-435 human mammary carcinoma xenograft model, in which the primary tumor is transplanted into the murine mammary fat pad, BAY 12-9566, administered daily at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day p.o. after resection of the primary tumor, inhibited local tumor regrowth by 58% without causing any toxic effect. In addition, BAY 12-9566 treatment inhibited the number and volume of lung metastases by 57 and 88%, respectively. These effects were highly correlated with the serum concentration of BAY 12-9566 at the end of treatment. The serum of the treated animals, harvested 24 h after the last treatment, and the tumor regrown at the site of tumor transplant in the treated animals, contained less protein with MMP-9 activity (as measured in a gelatin zymography assay) than the corresponding controls. However, no difference in the activity of MMP-2 was observed. Although all clinical trials in cancer involving BAY 12-9566 have been halted, this MMP inhibitor has never been used in clinical trials in breast cancer. These results suggest that the novel MMP inhibitor BAY 12-9566 maybe a useful and safe oral treatment for breast cancer, adjunctive to surgery.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Biphenyl Compounds; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endothelium, Vascular; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Transplantation; Organic Chemicals; Phenylbutyrates; Time Factors; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Umbilical Veins

Excessive or poorly regulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity has been implicated as a pathogenic factor in a range of diseases where the extracellular matrix is degraded or remodelled. Synthetic, potent, low molecular weight MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) have been developed and, over the past five years, these agents have begun clinical testing in patients with cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and acute macular degeneration. The past year has seen a number of disappointments with the halting of clinical trials of Ro 32-3555 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and of BAY 12-9566 in patients with cancer. There have, however, been some successes with perhaps the clearest indication of efficacy being seen in the results of a Phase III trial of marimastat in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Clinical trials are continuing with marimastat and other MMPIs, including prinomastat, solimastat, BMS 275291, metastat and neovastat. Results from these trials are expected in the next two years and it is likely that clinical trials with MMPIs will begin in patients with other diseases where MMPs are believed to be involved, such as restenosis, cerebral haemorrhage and multiple sclerosis. Future research is likely to focus on the identification of specific MMP targets in different diseases, both in order to improve efficacy and to reduce the musculoskeletal side effect profile that has characterised several of the first generation oral MMPIs.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Biphenyl Compounds; Breast Neoplasms; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Colorectal Neoplasms; Enzyme Inhibitors; Humans; Hydroxamic Acids; Lung Neoplasms; Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; Organic Chemicals; Phenylbutyrates