>>MIAMI BEACH, Fla.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 30, 2001--ImClone Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: IMCL - news) presented preclinical data today demonstrating that the use of a monoclonal antibody against the FLT-1 receptor results in the inhibition of new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) and tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model of human breast cancer. The data is being presented in a poster session during the 2001 AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference currently being held in Miami Beach, Florida.
The FLT-1 receptor (also known as the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; VEGFR1) is found on the surface of several cell types, including endothelial cells of blood vessels and certain tumor cells. Scientists from ImClone Systems have previously shown that a monoclonal antibody against the mouse form of FLT-1 intereferes with blood vessel formation in the animals and thus can inhibit tumor growth. This antibody works by preventing the binding of the angiogenic growth factors VEGF and Placental Growth Factor (PLGF) to the FLT-1 receptor.
ImClone Systems scientists now report that a similar antibody against the human FLT-1 receptor directly inhibits the function of breast cancer cells that bear the FLT-1 receptor. Anti-FLT-1 antibody was shown to bind to the FLT-1 receptor of tumor cells and to prevent growth factor binding and receptor activation, resulting in inhibition of signal transduction and cell growth. In an animal model of human breast cancer, an anti-human FLT-1 antibody inhibited tumor growth by uniquely interfering with tumor cell function.
The data demonstrate that these neutralizing anti-FLT-1 antibodies can inhibit breast cancer growth by two independent mechanisms. They interfere with FLT-1 on blood vessels to inhibit tumor angiogenesis and, in tumor cells expressing the FLT-1 receptor, they also interfere directly with tumor cell growth. This dual action may make these antibodies particularly attractive as potential anti-tumor agents.
``These encouraging preclinical results demonstrate that FLT-1 may play a direct role in the growth of certain cancers, namely breast cancer,'' stated Daniel J. Hicklin, Assistant Vice President of Immunology at ImClone Systems Incorporated. ``Based on these findings and our previous work in this area, we believe that FLT-1 may be a promising target for the development of anti-cancer therapies.''
ImClone Systems' anti-angiogenesis research includes its anti-KDR (VEGFR-2) monoclonal antibody. A Phase I clinical study is being conducted to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of the Company's anti-KDR antibody in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma.<<
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