FTY720 inhibits tumor growth and angiogenesis

Transplant Proc. 2005 Jan-Feb;37(1):110-1. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2004.12.278.

Abstract

De novo malignancies and recurrence of tumors are some of the biggest threats to allograft recipients subjected to chronic immunosuppression. FTY720, a synthetic myriocin analogue, is an immunosuppressant that induces apoptosis of activated lymphocytes and prevents infiltration of lymphocytes into allografts, thereby prolonging allograft survival in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, FTY720 was shown to prevent tumor growth and metastasis. Therefore, we examined the effect of FTY720 on angiogenesis in a HUVEC spheroid model. To substantiate our in vitro findings the effect of FTY720 was also tested in C57/B16 mice subcutaneously injected with Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC1) cells. After establishment of a palpable tumor the animals were treated daily with either saline or 1, 5, or 10 mg/kg FTY720. Subsequently, the tumor size was measured, periodically. In our experiments FTY720 showed a strong antiangiogenic effect, overcoming the stimulating effect of VEGF (20 ng/mL) even at subnanomolar concentrations. In vivo, FTY720 showed a dose-dependent inhibition of subcutaneous tumors, and the tumor size of animals treated with 10 mg/kg FTY720 was less than half of the size of tumors in control animals. In conclusion, FTY-720 demonstrated a strong antiangiogenic effect in vitro and a substantial antitumor effect in vivo. Presumably, the stabilizing effect of surrounding pericytes limits the effect of FTY720 in our mouse model. Therefore, a combination of FTY720 with an mTOR inhibitor might be the most favorable immunosuppressive drug combination for allograft recipients at risk for tumor development.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Fingolimod Hydrochloride
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control*
  • Propylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • Sphingosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Umbilical Veins

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Propylene Glycols
  • Fingolimod Hydrochloride
  • Sphingosine