Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGFß), angiostatin, and endostatin are increased in radiotherapy-induced gastrointestinal toxicity.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity (RIGT) is a debilitating effect of radiotherapy for cancer, often resulting in significant diarrhea and pain. Previous studies have highlighted roles of the intestinal microvasculature and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the development of RIGT. We hypothesized vascular mediators would be significantly altered in a dark agouti (DA) rat model of RIGT. Additionally, we aimed to assess the effect of MMP-2 and -9 inhibition on the response of tumor-associated microvascular endothelial cells (TAMECs) to radiation. METHODS: DA rats were administered 2.5 Gy abdominal irradiation (3 times/week over 6 weeks). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGFß), von Willebrand factor (VWF), angiostatin, and endostatin expression was assessed at 3, 6, and 15 weeks. Additionally, DA rat mammary adenocarcinoma tumor-associated microvascular endothelial cells (TAMECs) were used to assess the effects of radiation (12 Gy) and the MMP inhibitor SB-3CT on MMP, VEGF, and TGFß expression, and cell viability. RESULTS: VEGF mRNA expression was significantly increased in the colon at week 15 (p = .0012), and TGFß mRNA expression was significantly increased in both the jejunum and colon at week 3 (p = .0280 and p = .0310, respectively). Endostatin immunostaining was significantly increased at week 3 (p = .0046), and angiostatin at 3 and 6 weeks (p = .0022 and p = .0135, respectively). MMP-2 and -9 mRNA and total protein levels were significantly increased following irradiation of TAMECs. Although this increase was significantly attenuated by SB-3CT, it did not significantly alter endothelial cell viability or VEGF and TGFß mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study support the involvement of VEGF, TGFß, angiostatin, endostatin, and MMP-2 in the pathobiology of RIGT. However, the relationship between these mediators is complex and needs further investigation to improve understanding of their therapeutic potential in RIGT.

Matrix metalloproteinase expression is altered in the small and large intestine following fractionated radiation in vivo.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity (RIGT) is associated with significant diarrhoea, pain and rectal bleeding. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been reported to be involved in chemotherapy-induced gut toxicity and RIGT following single-dose irradiation in vivo. We therefore proposed MMPs would be involved in the pathobiology of RIGT following fractionated irradiation. METHODS: Dark Agouti rats were treated with fractionated radiation (3 × 2.5 Gy/week for 6 weeks). Rats were killed at 3, 6 and 15 weeks to represent acute and chronic toxicities. Sections of jejunum and colon were immunostained for MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-14. Relative mRNA expression in jejunum and colon was quantified by RT-PCR for MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-14. Western blotting was also conducted on jejunum and colon tissue collected at week 6 to determine protein levels of pro- and active MMP-2. RESULTS: MMP-2 total protein levels, determined by western blotting, significantly increased in both the jejunum (p = 0.0359) and the colon (p = 0.0134) 6 weeks into the fractionated radiation schedule. MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-14 mRNA expression significantly increased in the jejunum. MMP-2 mRNA expression was also significantly increased in the colon. Immunostaining of MMP-2 was observed to be increased in both crypt enterocytes and the lamina propria. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-2 plays a role in the pathobiology of gastrointestinal toxicities following fractionated irradiation. Whilst MMP-1 and MMP-14 mRNA expression was increased, this occurred only in the jejunum, suggesting MMPs are differentially involved in RIGT depending on the intestinal region. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role these mediators play in the development and potentiation of RIGT.

Proteasome inhibitor-induced gastrointestinal toxicity.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Gastrointestinal toxicities are commonly reported following treatment with proteasome inhibitors. The first-generation proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, induces significant gastrointestinal side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation, occurring in up to 84% of patients. Despite the development of safer proteasome inhibitors, such as carfilzomib, gastrointestinal toxicities remain some of the most common side effects. This review aims to summarize the previous literature on proteasome inhibitor-induced gastrointestinal toxicities, report on recent updates in the field, and investigate possible mechanisms of this toxicity. RECENT FINDINGS: Updates in the literature have included a direct comparison of the safety of approved proteasome inhibitors, bortezomib and carfilzomib, reporting less neurotoxicity and similar gastrointestinal toxicity, from carfilzomib when compared with bortezomib. Many recent studies have investigated the safety of orally bioavailable proteasome inhibitors, such as ixazomib and oprozomib. However, little progress has been made in understanding the possible mechanisms of proteasome inhibitor-induced gastrointestinal toxicities. SUMMARY: Although recent studies have continued to report gastrointestinal toxicities resulting from proteasome inhibitor treatment, particularly when combined with other agents or when administered orally, the mechanisms of proteasome inhibitor-induced gut toxicity remain largely unexplored. Further studies are needed to investigate the pathophysiology of this toxicity to improve the safety of existing and novel proteasome inhibitors.

Fractionated abdominal irradiation induces intestinal microvascular changes in an in vivo model of radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity (RIGT) is associated with diarrhoea, pain and rectal bleeding and can occur as an acute or chronic toxicity. The microvasculature has been shown to be altered in the development of RIGT; however, the features are not yet characterized. We hypothesized that apoptosis of microvascular cells would occur early in the gastrointestinal tract following fractionated irradiation, followed by late microvascular changes, including sclerosis and telangiectasis. METHODS: Female Dark Agouti rats were treated with a 6-week fractionated radiation schedule of 3 × 2.5 Gy doses per week localized to the abdomen. At 3, 6 and 15 weeks, the intestines were assessed for markers of acute and chronic injury including morphological changes, collagen deposition, apoptosis and proliferation. RESULTS: Apoptosis of microvascular cells significantly increased at 6 and 15 weeks in the jejunum (p = 0.0026 and p = 0.0062, respectively) and at 6 and 15 weeks in the colon (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0005, respectively) in rats receiving fractionated radiation to the abdomen. Histopathological changes of the colon microvasculature were also seen from week 3, including thickening of the lamina propria and dilated, thickened, telangiectatic vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study provide evidence of regional and timing-specific changes in the intestinal microvasculature in response to fractionated radiotherapy which may play a role in development of both acute and chronic RIGT.

Potential safety concerns of TLR4 antagonism with irinotecan: a preclinical observational report.

PURPOSE: Irinotecan-induced gut toxicity is mediated in part by Toll-Like receptor 4 (TLR4) signalling. The primary purpose of this preclinical study was to determine whether blocking TLR4 signalling by administering (-)-naloxone, a TLR4 antagonist, would improve irinotecan-induced gut toxicity. Our secondary aim was to determine the impact of (-)-naloxone on tumour growth. METHODS: Female Dark Agouti (DA) tumour-bearing rats were randomly assigned to four treatments (n = 6 in each); control, (-)-naloxone (100 mg/kg oral gavage at -2, 24, 48, and 72 h), irinotecan (175 mg/kg intraperitoneal at 0 h), and (-)-naloxone and irinotecan. Body weight and tumour growth were measured daily, and diarrhoea incidence and severity were recorded 4× per day up to 72 h post-treatment. RESULTS: At 72 h, all rats that received irinotecan lost weight compared to controls (p = 0.03). In addition, rats that received (-)-naloxone and irinotecan lost significantly more weight compared to controls (p < 0.005) than irinotecan only compared to controls (p = 0.001). (-)-Naloxone did not attenuate irinotecan-induced severe diarrhoea at 48 and 72 h. Finally, (-)-naloxone caused increased tumour growth compared to control at 72 h (p < 0.05) and significantly reduced the efficacy of irinotecan (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: (-)-Naloxone in our preclinical model was unable to block irinotecan-induced gut toxicity and decreased the efficacy of irinotecan. As (-)-naloxone-oxycodone combination is used for cancer pain, this may present a potential safety concern for patients receiving (-)-naloxone-oxycodone and irinotecan concurrently and requires further investigation.

Radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity: Involvement of matrix metalloproteinases and the intestinal microvasculature.

Purpose To review the literature surrounding the involvement of the endothelium and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity (RIGT) and further elucidate its complex pathobiology. Results RIGT involves damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa and is associated with diarrhoea, pain, and rectal bleeding depending on the area of exposure. The mechanisms underpinning RIGT are complex and have not yet been elucidated. Members of the MMP family, particularly MMP-2 and -9, have recently been identified as being key markers in RIGT and chemotherapy-induced gut toxicity (CIGT). Furthermore, the microvasculature has long been implicated in the development of toxicities following both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, however, the mechanisms behind this are yet to be explored. Conclusions It is proposed that matrix metalloproteinases are key regulators of endothelial mediators, and may play a key role in inducing damage to intestinal microvasculature following radiotherapy.