WO2005016369A1

WO2005016369A1 - Use of a vegf antagonist in combination with radiation therapy

Info

Publication number: WO2005016369A1
Application number: PCT/US2004/024675
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jocelyn Holash; George Yancopoulos; Phyllis R. Wachsberger; Adam P. Dicker; Randy Burd
Original assignee: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Thomas Jefferson University
Priority date: 2003-08-06
Filing date: 2004-07-30
Publication date: 2005-02-24
Also published as: US20050112061A1; JP2007501239A; CA2534197A1; EP1653992A1; AU2004264891A1

Abstract

Methods of treating cancer and/or reducing or inhibiting tumor growth in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering pharmaceutical composition comprising a vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor or trap, such as the VEGF trap of SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO:3, in combination with radiation therapy, including ionization radiation and/or a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical.

Description

Use of a NEGF Antagonist in Combination with Radiation Therapy

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

[0001] The field of the invention is related to methods of treating cancer in a mammal with a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trap capable of binding and inhibiting VEGF in combination with radiation therapy.

Description of Related Art

[0002] Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been recognized as a primary stimulus of angiogenesis in pathological conditions. Approaches to methods of blocking VEGF include soluble receptor constructs, antisense molecules, RNA aptamers, and antibodies. See, for example, PCT WO/0075319, for a description of VEGF-receptor based trap antagonists. [0003] Radiation therapy is widely used for the treatment of cancer both alone and in conjunction with surgery and/or anti-neoplastic agents. Combination therapies using radiation and squalamine are known (see U.S. Patent No. 6,596,712). Recent preclinical studies have suggested that radiation therapy in combination with VEGF targeting agents can enhance the therapeutic ratio of ionizing radiation by targeting both tumor cells and tumor vessels.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention is based in part on the results of experiments described below that show that the combined treatment of a VEGF trap with radiation therapy results in a significant inhibition of tumor growth in a clinically relevant human glioblastoma model.

[0005] Thus, in a first aspect, the invention features a method of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a VEGF trap in combination with radiation therapy such that the cancer is treated. In one embodiment of the invention, the VEGF trap is

FltlD2.FlklD3.FcΔCl(a) (SEQ ID NOs:l-2), or VEGFRlR2-FcΔCl(a) (SEQ ID NOs:3-4).

[0006] In specific embodiments, the amount of VEGF trap administered is in a low dose, e.g., approximately about or less than 1 mg/kg. In another embodiment, the amount of VEGF trap administered is at a high dose, about or more than 2.5 mg/kg. Administration may be by any method known in the art, including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermab intraperitoneab intravenous, intranasab epidurab or oral. Preferably, administration is subcutaneous or intravenous, or a combination thereof. Administration may be concurrently (e.g., simultaneous) with, or sequentially (e.g., prior to or following radiation administration). In one embodiment, a low dose (≤ 1.0 mg/kg) of VEGF trap is administered concurrently with radiation once per week or at 2-4 week intervals. In another embodiment, a high dose (≥ 2.5 mg/kg) is administered with radiation once per month or at 2-4 month intervals. In another embodiment, a high dose (≥ 2.5 mg/kg) of VEGF trap is administered concurrently with radiation once per week or at 2-4 week intervals. In another embodiment, a low dose (≤ 1.0 mg/kg) is administered with radiation once per month or at 2-4 month intervals.

[0007] Radiation therapy, including therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, can be administered to the mammal according to protocols commonly employed in the art and known to the skilled artisan. Such therapy may include cesium, iridium, iodine, or cobalt radiation. In one embodiment, the radiation therapy is ionizing radiation therapy.

[0008] In a second aspect, the invention features a method of reducing or inhibiting tumor growth in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a VEGF trap in combination with radiation therapy such that tumor growth is reduced or inhibited. In one embodiment of the invention, the VEGF trap is FltlD2.FlklD3.FcΔCl(a) (SEQ ID NOs:l-2), or VEGFRlR2-FcΔCl(a) (SEQ ID NOs:3-4).

[0009] In a third aspect, the invention features a method of treating a human patient suffering from cancer, comprising administering an effective amount of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trap and radiation to the human patient, the method comprising administering to the patient an initial dose of ≤ 1.0 mg/kg of the VEGF trap with radiation therapy. In specific embodiments, the initial administration of VEGF trap and radiation are followed by a plurality of subsequent doses of the VEGF trap and radiation in an amount that is approximately the same or less of the initial dose, wherein the subsequent doses are separated in time from each other by at least one week.

[0010] Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a review of the ensuing detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Before the present methods are described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular methods, and experimental conditions described, as such methods and conditions may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. [0012] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus for example, a reference to "a method" includes one or more methods, and/or steps of the type described herein and/or which will become apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and so forth.

[0013] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

General Description

[0014] The invention is based on the findings that administration of a VEGF trap capable of binding and inhibiting the biological activity of VEGF, for example the VEGF trap VEGFR1R2- FcΔCl(a) (SEQ ID NOs:3-4), in combination with ionizing radiation therapy and/or therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals results in a significant inhibition of tumor growth. The effect of the combination of a VEGF trap and radiation therapy on tumor growth provides a promising therapeutic approach to the treatment of human cancer. For a description of VEGF-receptor- based antagonist VEGF traps FltlD2.FlklD3.FcΔCl(a) (SEQ ID NOs:l-2) and VEGFR1R2- FcΔCl(a) (SEQ ID NOs:3-4), see PCT WO/0075319, the contents of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

Methods of Administration

[0015] The invention provides methods of treatment comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a VEGF trap, in combination with radiation therapy. Various delivery systems are known and can be used to administer the composition of the invention, e.g., encapsulation in liposomes, microparticles, microcapsules, recombinant cells capable of expressing the compound, receptor-mediated endocytosis (see, e.g., Wu and Wu, 1987, J. Biol. Chem. 262:4429-4432), construction of a nucleic acid as part of a retroviral or other vector, etc. Methods of introduction can be enteral or parenteral and include but are not limited to intradermab intramuscular, intraperitoneab intravenous, subcutaneous, intranasab intraocular, and oral routes. The compounds may be administered by any convenient route, for example by infusion or bolus injection, by absorption through epithelial or mucocutaneous linings (e.g., oral mucosa, rectal and intestinal mucosa, etc.) and may be administered together with other biologically active agents. Administration can be systemic or local. Administration can be acute or chronic (e.g. daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) or in combination with other agents. Pulmonary administration can also be employed, e.g., by use of an inhaler or nebulizer, and formulation with an aerosolizing agent.

[0016] In another embodiment, the active agent can be delivered in a vesicle, in particular a liposome, in a controlled release system, or in a pump. In another embodiment where the active agent of the invention is a nucleic acid encoding a protein, the nucleic acid can be administered in vivo to promote expression of its encoded protein, by constructing it as part of an appropriate nucleic acid expression vector and administering it so that it becomes intracellular, e.g., by use of a retroviral vector (see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,980,286), by direct injection, or by use of microparticle bombardment, or coating with lipids or cell-surface receptors or transfecting agents, or by administering it in linkage to a homeobox-like peptide which is known to enter the nucleus (see e.g., Joliot et ab, 1991, Proc. Natb Acad. Scb USA 88:1864-1868), etc. Alternatively, a nucleic acid can be introduced intracellularly and incorporated within host cell DNA for expression, by homologous recombination.

[0017] In a specific embodiment, it may be desirable to administer the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention locally to the area in need of treatment; this may be achieved, for example, and not by way of limitation, by local infusion during surgery, topical application, e.g., by injection, by means of a catheter, or by means of an implant, the implant being of a porous, non-porous, or gelatinous material, including membranes, such as silastic membranes, fibers, or commercial skin substitutes.

[0018] A composition useful in practicing the methods of the invention may be a liquid comprising an agent of the invention in solution, in suspension, or both. The term "solution/suspension" refers to a liquid composition where a first portion of the active agent is present in solution and a second portion of the active agent is present in particulate form, in suspension in a liquid matrix. A liquid composition also includes a gel. The liquid composition may be aqueous or in the form of an ointment.

[0019] An aqueous suspension or solution/suspension useful for practicing the methods of the invention may contain one or more polymers as suspending agents. Useful polymers include water-soluble polymers such as cellulosic polymers and water-insoluble polymers such as cross- linked carboxyl-containing polymers. An aqueous suspension or solution/suspension of the present invention is preferably viscous or muco-adhesive, or even more preferably, both viscous and mucoadhesive.

Radiation Therapy and Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals

[0020] Radiation is used as a therapeutic treatment for many types of cancers and is delivered in various ways, depending on the disease, its location, and its stage. Such therapy may include cesium, iridium, iodine, or cobalt radiation. The radiation therapy may be whole body irradiation, or may be directed locally to a specific site or tissue in or on the body. Typically, radiation therapy is administered in pulses over a period of time from about 1 to about 2 weeks. The radiation therapy may, however, be administered over longer periods of time. Optionally, the radiation therapy may be administered as a single dose or as multiple, sequential doses. Examples of radiation therapies include conformal radiation therapy, coronary artery brachytherapy, fast neutron radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), interoperative radiotherapy, interstitial brachytherapy, interstitial breast brachytherapy, organ preservation therapy, and steriotactic radiosurgery. The use of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals is also encompassed by the invention. Examples of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals include, for example, P32 chromic phosphate colloid, P32 sodium chromate, Sr89 chloride, Sml53 EDTMP lexidronam, 1131 sodium iodide, Y90 ibritumomab tiuxetan, Inl l l tositumomab, and Y90 microspheres. The VEGF trap is administered to the patient concurrently or sequentially of treatment with radiation and/or a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical compound. Following administration of the VEGF trap and radiation, the patient's cancer and physiological condition can be monitored in various ways well known to the skilled practitioner. For instance, tumor mass may be observed physically, by biopsy or by standard x-ray imaging techniques.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

[0021] The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a VEGF trap and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The term "pharmaceutically acceptable" means approved by a regulatory agency of the Federal or a state government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia or other generally recognized pharmacopeia for use in animals, and more particularly, in humans. The teπn "carrier" refers to a diluent, adjuvant, excipient, or vehicle with which the therapeutic is administered. Such pharmaceutical carriers can be sterile liquids, such as water and oils, including those of petroleum, animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil, mineral oil, sesame oil and the like. Suitable pharmaceutical excipients include starch, glucose, lactose, sucrose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica gel, sodium stearate, glycerol monostearate, talc, sodium chloride, dried skim milk, glycerob propylene, glycob water, ethanol and the like. The composition, if desired, can also contain minor amounts of wetting or emulsifying agents, or pH buffering agents. These compositions can take the form of solutions, suspensions, emulsion, tablets, pills, capsules, powders, sustained- release formulations and the like. Examples of suitable pharmaceutical carriers are described in "Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences" by E.W. Martin. [0022] The composition of the invention can be formulated as neutral or salt forms. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include those formed with free amino groups such as those derived from hydrochloric, phosphoric, acetic, oxalic, tartaric acids, etc., and those formed with free carboxyl groups such as those derived from sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, ferric hydroxides, isopropylamine, triethylamine, 2-ethylamino ethanol, histidine, procaine, etc. [0023] The amount of the composition of the invention that will be effective for its intended therapeutic use can be determined by standard clinical techniques based on the present description. In addition, in vitro assays may optionally be employed to help identify optimal dosage ranges. Generally, suitable dosage ranges for intravenous administration are generally about 20-500 micrograms of active compound per kilogram body weight. Suitable dosage ranges for intranasal administration are generally about 0.01 pg/kg body weight to 1 mg/kg body weight. Effective doses may be extrapolated from dose-response curves derived from in vitro or animal model test systems.

[0024] For systemic administration, a therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from in vitro assays. For example, a dose can be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating concentration range that includes the IC₅o as determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Initial dosages can also be estimated from in vivo data, e.g., animal models, using techniques that are well known in the art. One having ordinary skill in the art could readily optimize administration to humans based on animal data.

[0025] Dosage amount and interval may be adjusted individually to provide plasma levels of the compounds that are sufficient to maintain therapeutic effect. In cases of local administration or selective uptake, the effective local concentration of the compounds may not be related to plasma concentration. One having skill in the art will be able to optimize therapeutically effective local dosages without undue experimentation.

[0026] The amount of compound administered will, of course, be dependent on the subject being treated, on the subject's weight, the severity of the affliction, the manner of administration, and the judgment of the prescribing physician. The therapy may be repeated intermittently while symptoms are detectable or even when they are not detectable. The therapy may be provided alone or in combination with other drugs.

Specific Embodiments

[0027] Example 1 describes experiments in which tumors grown in mice from U-87 glioblatoma cells were treated with a combination of low or high doses of the VEGF trap of SEQ ID NOs:3-4 with or without a single dose of radiation. The results showed enhanced suppression and delay of tumor growth with the combination of VEGF inhibitor and radiation therapy. [0028] Other features of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following descriptions of exemplary embodiments which are given for illustration of the invention and are not intended to be limiting thereof.

EXAMPLES

[0029] The following example is put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how to make and use the methods and compositions of the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers used (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.) but some experimental errors and deviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, molecular weight is average molecular weight, temperature is in degrees Centigrade, and pressure is at or near atmospheric.

Example 1. Improvement of Tumor Control by Combining a VEGF Trap and Radiation

Therapy

[0030] Materials and Methods: U-87 cells, a clinically relevant human glioblastoma cell line, were injected subcutaneously into the right hind limb (5 x 10⁵ cells in 0.1 ml PBS) of athymic

NCR NUM mice and allowed to grow until reaching a diameter of 4-5 mm before treatment.

Tumor growth delay (TGD) was determined using time in days for the tumor to grow to 1000 mm³. In one experiment, a VEGF trap (SEQ ID NOs:3-4) was used at two doses, high (25 mg/kg) and low (2.5 mg/kg) given every three days for up to three weeks, using the same schedule with and without a single dose of radiation of 10 Grays (Gy).

[0031] In a second experiment, VEGF trap was used at either mid (10 mg/kg) or low (2.5 mg/kg) dose, and treatment was initiated one week prior to the single dose of radiation, following the radiation treatment, VEGF trap treatment was continued for an additional 21 days, again being administered every third day.

[0032] Results: In the first study, control tumors had an average TGD of 10 days whereas low dose VEGF trap increased TGD an additional 10 days. A single dose of radiation of 10 Gy increased TGD 10 days over that of control whereas radiation plus low dose VEGF trap increased TGD 20-25 days over that of control. High dose VEGF trap increased TGD 40 days over that of control but did not show any increased benefit when combined with radiation. In the second study, when VEGF Trap at either 10 mg/kg or 2.5 mg/kg was combined with radiation therapy, enhanced tumor suppression was observed. As seen in Table 1, average tumor size at an interim point in the study, Study Day 35, is reduced when VEGF trap (VEGFT) is combined with radiation. Additionally, fewer tumors reach the specified study endpoint by this time when combination therapy is given. The results show that suppression and delay in rumor growth is achieved by the combined treatments.

[0033] It is concluded that VEGF trap alone is an effective inhibitor of tumor growth in the U-87 glioblastoma model and that low or mid dose VEGF trap in combination with single dose radiation has an enhanced effect on tumor cell killing. These results have important implications for the treatment of human cancer.

TABLE 1: Study Day 35

[0034] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. Use of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor or trap in the preparation of a medicament for combination with radiation therapy in a method of treating cancer in a subject in need thereof, or for inhibiting or reducing tumor growth.

2. The use according to claim 1, wherein the VEGF trap is VEGFRlR2-FcΔCl(a) or FltlD2.FlklD3.FcΔCl(a).

3. The use of claim 2, wherein the VEGF trap comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:l or SEQ ID NO:3.

4. The use according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein administration of a VEGF trap and radiation is concurrent or sequentially.

5. The use according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein radiation is ionizing radiation therapy and/or a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical.

6. The use according to claim 5, wherein radiation therapy is administered as a single dose or in multiple doses.

7. The use according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the VEGF trap is administered at a high dose of at least 2.5 mg/kg.

8. The use according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the VEGF trap is administered at a low dose of about or less than 1.0 mg/kg.

9. The use according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the subject is a human subject.

10. The use according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein administration is subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermab intraperitoneab intravenous, intranasab epidurab or oral.

11. A method of reducing tumor growth in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trap and radiation therapy, wherein the growth of the tumor is reduced.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the VEGF trap is VEGFRlR2-FcΔCl(a) or FltlD2.FlklD3.FcΔCl(a).

13. The use of claim 12, wherein the VEGF trap comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:l or SEQ ID NO:3.

14. The method of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the VEGF trap is administered concurrently or sequentially with radiation therapy.

15. The method of claim 14 the radiation therapy is ionizing radiation therapy and/or a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical.

16. The method of any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the subject is a human subject.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein administration of the VEGF trap is subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermab intraperitoneab intravenous, intranasab epidurab or oral.

18. An article of manufacture, comprising: (a) packaging material; and (b) a pharmaceutical agent contained within the packaging material, wherein the pharmaceutical agent comprises at least one dose of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trap, and the packaging material indicates that the VEGF trap can be used in the treatment of cancer or for reducing tumor growth in combination with radiation therapy.