Angiopoietins (ANGPTs) are ligands of the endothelial cell receptor TIE2 and have crucial roles in the tumour angiogenic switch. Increased expression of ANGPT2 relative to ANGPT1 in tumours correlates with poor prognosis. The biological effects of the ANGPT-TIE system are context dependent, which brings into question what the best strategy is to target this pathway. This Review presents an encompassing picture of what we know about this important axis in tumour biology. The various options for therapeutic intervention are discussed to identify the best path forwards.

Pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF), an angiogenesis inhibitor with neurotrophic properties, balances angiogenesis in the eye and blocks tumor progression. Its neurotrophic function and the ability to block vascular leakage is replicated by the PEDF 44-mer peptide (residues 58-101). We analyzed PEDFs' three-dimensional structure and identified a potential receptor-binding surface. Seeking PEDF-based antiangiogenic agents we generated and tested peptides representing the middle and lower regions of this surface. We identified previously unknown antiangiogenic epitopes consisting of the 34-mer (residues 24-57) and a shorter proximal peptide (TGA, residues 16-26) with the critical stretch L 19 VEEED 24 and a fragment within the 44-mer (ERT, residues 78-94), which retained neurotrophic activity. The 34-mer and TGA, but not the 44-mer reproduced PEDF angioinhibitory signals hinged on c-jun-NH 2 -kinase-dependent nuclear factor of activated T cell deactivation and caused apoptosis. Conversely, the ERT, but not the 34-mer/TGA induced neuronal differentiation. For the 44-mer/ERT, we showed a novel ability to cause neuroendocrine differentiation in prostate cancer cells. PEDF and the peptides bound endothelial and PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Bound peptides were displaced by PEDF, but not by each other, suggesting multiple receptors. PEDF and its active fragments blocked tumor formation when conditionally expressed by PC-3 cells. The 34-and 44-mer used distinct mechanisms: the 34-mer acted on endothelial cells, blocked angiogenesis, and induced apoptosis whereas 44-mer prompted neuroendocrine differentiation in cancer cells. Our results map active regions for the two PEDF functions, signaling via distinct receptors, identify candidate peptides, and provide their mechanism of action for future development of PEDFbased tumor therapies. (Cancer Res 2005; 65(12): 5144-52)

Purpose: Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) plays a key role in maintaining stable vasculature, whereas in a tumor Ang2 antagonizes Ang1's function and promotes the initiation of the angiogenic switch. Specifically targeting Ang2 is a promising anticancer strategy. Here we describe the development and characterization of a new class of biotherapeutics referred to as CovX-Bodies, which are created by chemical fusion of a peptide and a carrier antibody scaffold.Experimental Design: Various linker tethering sites on peptides were examined for their effect on CovXBody in vitro potency and pharmacokinetics. Ang2 CovX-Bodies with low nmol/L IC 50 s and significantly improved pharmacokinetics were tested in tumor xenograft studies alone or in combination with standard of care agents. Tumor samples were analyzed for target engagement, via Ang2 protein level, CD31-positive tumor vasculature, and Tie2 expressing monocyte penetration.Results: Bivalent Ang2 CovX-Bodies selectively block the Ang2-Tie2 interaction (IC 50 < 1 nmol/L) with dramatically improved pharmacokinetics (T ½ > 100 hours). Using a staged Colo-205 xenograft model, significant tumor growth inhibition (TGI) was observed (40%-63%, P < 0.01). Ang2 protein levels were reduced by approximately 50% inside tumors (P < 0.01), whereas tumor microvessel density (P < 0.01) and intratumor proangiogenic Tie2 CD11bþ cells (P < 0.05) were significantly reduced. When combined with sunitinib, sorafenib, bevacizumab, irinotecan, or docetaxel, Ang2 CovX-Bodies produced even greater efficacy ($80% TGI, P < 0.01). Conclusion: CovX-Bodies provide an elegant solution to overcome the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic problems of peptides. Long-acting Ang2 specific CovX-Bodies will be useful as single agents and in combination with standard-of-care agents.

Disturbances of the ratio between angiogenic inducers and inhibitors in tumor microenvironment are the driving force behind angiogenic switch critical for tumor progression. Angiogenic inhibitors may vary depending on organismal age and the tissue of origin. We showed that ␣ 1 -antitrypsin (AAT), a serine protease inhibitor (serpin) is an inhibitor of angiogenesis, which induced apoptosis and inhibited chemotaxis of endothelial cells. S-and Z-type mutations that cause abnormal folding and defective serpin activity abrogated AAT antiangiogenic activity. Removal of the C-terminal reactive site loop had no effect on its angiostatic activity. Both native AAT and AAT truncated on C-terminus (AAT⌬) inhibited neovascularization in the rat cornea and delayed the growth of subcutaneous tumors in mice. Treatment with native AAT and truncated AAT⌬, but not control vehicle reduced tumor microvessel density, while increasing apoptosis within tumor endothelium. Comparative analysis of the human tumors and normal tissues of origin showed correlation between reduced local ␣ 1 -antitrypsin expression and more aggressive tumor growth.

CVX-045 is produced by covalently attaching a thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) mimetic comprising a peptidic sequence and a linker to the Fab binding site of a proprietary scaffold antibody. CVX-045 possesses the potency of the TSP-1-derived peptide, along with the advantageous pharmacokinetics of an antibody. Antitumor activity of CVX-045 was evaluated in human xenograft models alone and in combination with standard chemotherapies and targeted molecules. In A549 and A431 xenograft models, CVX-045 demonstrated significant (P < .05) antiangiogenic activity, reducing tumor microvessel density and increasing the levels of necrosis within treated tumors. In an HT-29 xenograft model, CVX-045 in combination with 5-fluorouracil significantly (P < .01) decreased tumor growth rate compared with vehicle, CVX-045, or 5-fluorouracil alone. Cotreatment of CVX-045 plus CPT-11 delayed progression of tumor growth from day 28 to 60. In contrast CVX-045 alone treatment did not delay the progression of tumor growth, and CPT-11 alone delayed progression of tumor growth to day 39. Cotreatment of CVX-045 with sunitinib extended the time to reach tumor load from day 26 to 40. In summary, CVX-045 exhibits significant antiangiogenic activity in several tumor models and enhances antitumor activity in combination with chemotherapy or targeted therapies. These data suggest future avenues for effective combination therapy in treating solid tumors. CVX-045 has recently completed a phase 1 trial in solid tumors where it has been well tolerated.

Our results suggest that p53 does not regulate angiogenesis in the bladder in the setting of an otherwise normal genome and gene therapy with wild-type p53, which is currently being studied for this cancer, may have only limited effects on angiogenesis. In contrast, hypoxia regulates angiogenesis in this system, primarily through its effects on VEGF.

Novel phage-derived peptides are the first reported molecules specifically targeting human placental growth factor 1 (PlGF-1). Phage data enabled peptide modifications that decreased IC(50) values in PlGF-1/VEGFR-1 competition ELISA from 100 to 1 μM. Peptides exhibiting enhanced potency were bioconjugated to the CovX antibody scaffold 1 (CVX-2000), generating bivalent CovX-Bodies with 2 nM K(D) against PlGF-1. In vitro and in vivo peptide cleavage mapping studies enabled the identification of proteolytic hotspots that were subsequently chemically modified. These changes decreased IC(50) to 0.4 nM and increased compound stability from 5% remaining at 6 h after injection to 35% remaining at 24 h with a β phase half-life of 75 h in mice. In cynomolgus monkey, a 78 h β half-life was observed for lead compound 2. The pharmacological properties of 2 are currently being explored.

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