Inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis establishment by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer delivery of the antiangiogenic factor 16K hPRL.

Tumor metastases, the most fearsome aspect of cancer, are generally resistant to conventional therapies. Angiogenesis is a crucial aspect of tumor growth and metastatic dissemination. Antiangiogenic therapy, therefore, holds potential as an attractive strategy for inhibiting metastasis development. Human 16K PRL (16K hPRL), a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis, has been demonstrated to prevent tumor growth in two xenograft mouse models, but whether it also affects tumor metastasis is unknown. In this study we will investigate the ability of 16K hPRL to prevent the establishment of metastasis. We demonstrate that 16K hPRL administered via adenovirus-mediated gene transfer, inhibits tumor growth by 86% in a subcutaneous (SC) B16-F10 mouse melanoma model. Computer-assisted image analysis shows that 16K hPRL treatment results in a reduction of tumor-vessel length and width, leading to a 57% reduction of average vessel size. In a pre-established tumor model, moreover, 16K hPRL can significantly delay tumor development. Finally, for the first time, we provide evidence that 16K hPRL considerably reduces the establishment of B16-F10 metastasis in an experimental lung metastasis model. Both the number and size of metastases are reduced by 50% in 16K hPRL-treated mice. These results highlight a potential role for 16K hPRL in anticancer therapy for both primary tumors and metastases.