rAAV-mediated long-term liver-generated expression of an angiogenesis inhibitor can restrict renal tumor growth in mice

Abstract

It is now well established that tumor growth is angiogenesis dependent. Inhibition of angiogenesis, therefore, is likely to be an effective anticancer approach. A gene therapy-mediated approach to the delivery of antiangiogenic agents using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors has a number of advantages, including the potential for sustained expression. We have constructed a rAAV vector in which the expression of a soluble, truncated form of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (Flk-1), a known inhibitor of endothelial cell activation, is driven by a composite beta-actin-based promoter. After intraportal injection of this vector, high-level, stable transgene expression was generated in mice. This established a systemic state of angiogenesis inhibition; sera from these mice inhibited endothelial cell activation in vitro and Matrigel plug neovascularization in vivo. Significant antitumor efficacy was observed in two murine models of pediatric kidney tumors. Tumor development was prevented in 10 of 15 (67%) mice, with significant growth restriction of tumors in the remaining mice. For the first time, long-term, in vivo expression of a functional angiogenesis inhibitor has been established using rAAV, with resultant anticancer efficacy in a relevant, orthotopic tumor model. These findings establish the feasibility of using rAAV vectors in antiangiogenic gene therapy.