Contribution of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to the acute mobilization of endothelial precursor cells by vascular disrupting agents

Cancer Res. 2009 Oct 1;69(19):7524-8. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-0381. Epub 2009 Sep 8.

Abstract

Vascular disrupting agents (VDA) cause acute shutdown of abnormal established tumor vasculature, followed by massive intratumoral hypoxia and necrosis. However, a viable rim of tumor tissue invariably remains from which tumor regrowth rapidly resumes. We have recently shown that an acute systemic mobilization and homing of bone marrow-derived circulating endothelial precursor (CEP) cells could promote tumor regrowth following treatment with either a VDA or certain chemotherapy drugs. The molecular mediators of this systemic reactive host process are unknown. Here, we show that following treatment of mice with OXi-4503, a second-generation potent prodrug derivative of combretastatin-A4 phosphate, rapid increases in circulating plasma vascular endothelial growth factor, stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) levels are detected. With the aim of determining whether G-CSF is involved in VDA-induced CEP mobilization, mutant G-CSF-R(-/-) mice were treated with OXi-4503. We found that as opposed to wild-type controls, G-CSF-R(-/-) mice failed to mobilize CEPs or show induction of SDF-1 plasma levels. Furthermore, Lewis lung carcinomas grown in such mice treated with OXi-4503 showed greater levels of necrosis compared with tumors treated in wild-type mice. Evidence for rapid elevations in circulating plasma G-CSF, vascular endothelial growth factor, and SDF-1 were also observed in patients with VDA (combretastatin-A4 phosphate)-treated cancer. These results highlight the possible effect of drug-induced G-CSF on tumor regrowth following certain cytotoxic drug therapies, in this case using a VDA, and hence G-CSF as a possible therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bevacizumab
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / blood
  • Diphosphates / pharmacology*
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / blood*
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / pharmacology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization / methods
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / blood
  • Melanoma / blood supply
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Neoplasms / blood*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prodrugs / pharmacology
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Stilbenes / administration & dosage
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / blood
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Diphosphates
  • Oxi 4503
  • Prodrugs
  • Stilbenes
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Bevacizumab
  • fosbretabulin