Henneke I, Greschus S, Savai R, Korfei M, Markart P, Mahavadi P, Schermuly RT, Wygrecka M, Stürzebecher J, Seeger W, Günther A, Ruppert C. Inhibition of urokinase activity reduces primary tumor growth and metastasis formation in a murine lung carcinoma model.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2010;
181:611-9. [PMID:
20056905 DOI:
10.1164/rccm.200903-0342oc]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE
Lung cancer is the most common malignancy in humans. Urokinase (uPA) plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis by facilitating tumor cell invasion and metastasis.
OBJECTIVES
We investigated the effect of the highly specific urokinase inhibitor CJ-463 (benzylsulfonyl-D-Ser-Ser-4-amidinobenzylamide) on tumor growth, metastasis formation, and tumor vascularization in the murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and a human small lung cancer model.
METHODS
A quantity of 3 x 10(6) LLC cells were subcutaneously injected into the right flank of C57Bl6/N mice, uPA knock out, and uPA receptor knockout mice. Seven days later mice were randomized to receive intraperitoneally either saline (control group), CJ-463 (10 and 100 mg/kg, twice a day), or its ineffective stereoisomer (10 mg/kg, twice a day). Tumor volume was measured every second day and metastasis formation was monitored by volumetric-computed tomography. Twelve days after onset of treatment mice were killed and tumors were prepared for histologic examination.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS
Treatment with CJ-463 resulted in a significant inhibition of primary tumor growth, with the highest efficacy seen in the 100 mg/kg group. In addition, histological analysis of the lung revealed a significant reduction in lung micrometastasis in the 100 mg/kg group. Similarly, a reduced seeding of tumor cells into the lung after intravenous injection of LLC cells was observed in inhibitor-treated mice. In these mice, treatment with CJ-463 appeared not to significantly alter the relative extent of tumor vascularization. In vitro, proliferation of LLC cells remained unchanged upon inhibitor treatment. CJ-463 was found to similarly reduce tumor growth in uPA receptor knockout mice, but was ineffective in uPA knockout mice.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that synthetic low-molecular-weight uPA-inhibitors offer as novel agents for treatment of lung cancer.
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