Combretastatin family member OXI4503 induces tumor vascular collapse through the induction of endothelial apoptosis.

The mechanism of tumor cell killing by OXI4503 was investigated by studying vascular functional and morphological changes post drug administration. SCID mice bearing MHEC5-T hemangioendothelioma were given a single dose of OXI4503 at 100 mg/kg. Tumor blood flow, measured by microsphere fluorescence, was reduced by 50% at 1 hr, and reached a maximum level 6-24 hr post drug treatment. Tumor vascular permeability, measured by Evan's blue and hemoglobin, increased significantly from 3 hr and peaked at 18 hr. The elevated tumor vessel permeability was accompanied by an increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from 1 hr post drug treatment. Immunohistochemical staining for CD31 and laminin showed that tumor blood vessels were affected as early as 3 hr but more prominent from 6 hr. From 12 hr, the vessel structure was completely destroyed. Histopathological and double immunohistochemical staining showed morphological change and induction of apoptosis in endothelial cells at 1-3 hr, followed by tumor cell necrosis from 6-72 hr. There were no statistically significant changes of Evan's blue and hemoglobin contents in liver tissue over the time course. These results suggest that OXI4503 selectively targets tumor blood vessels, and induces blood flow shutdown while it enhances tumor blood vessel permeability. The early induction of endothelial cell apoptosis leads to functional changes of tumor blood vessels and finally to the collapse of tumor vasculature, resulting in massive tumor cell necrosis. The time course of the tumor vascular response observed with OXI4503 treatment supports this drug for development as a stand alone therapy, and also lends support for the use of the drug in combination with other cancer therapies. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.