Development and validation of an alpha fetoprotein immunoassay using Gyros technology.

Circulating alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with potential utility as a pharmacodynamic endpoint in rodent tumor models. This application is limited, however, by low sample volumes, highlighting the need for sensitive, sample-sparing biomarker assay methods. In order to improve the utility of AFP as an oncology biomarker, we developed a method for AFP using the Gyrolab™, an automated microimmunoassay platform. Commercially available antibodies were screened to identify optimal combinations that were then used in a multi-factorial design of experiments (DOE) to optimize reaction conditions. Analytical validation included assessments of accuracy and precision (A&P), and dilutional linearity/hook effect, as well as reagent and sample stability. The method is reliable, with total error, a measure of accuracy and precision, less than 30% for all concentrations tested. AFP concentrations were measurable in diseased mice and undetectable in normal mice. Therefore, this novel, low volume AFP immunoassay is suitable for pre-clinical drug development, where its miniaturized format facilitates serial sampling in rodent models of cancer.

Antiangiogenic and antitumor activity of a selective PDGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, CP-673,451.

CP-673,451 is a potent inhibitor of platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor (PDGFR-beta) kinase- and PDGF-BB-stimulated autophosphorylation of PDGFR-beta in cells (IC(50) = 1 nmol/L) being more than 450-fold selective for PDGFR-beta versus other angiogenic receptors (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, TIE-2, and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2). Multiple models have been used to evaluate in vivo activity of CP-673,451 and to understand the pharmacology of PDGFR-beta inhibition and the effect on tumor growth. These models include an ex vivo measure of PDGFR-beta phosphorylation in glioblastoma tumors, a sponge model to measure inhibition of angiogenesis, and multiple models of tumor growth inhibition. Inhibition of PDGFR-beta phosphorylation in tumors correlates with plasma and tumor levels of CP-673,451. A dose of 33 mg/kg was adequate to provide >50% inhibition of receptor for 4 hours corresponding to an EC(50) of 120 ng/mL in plasma at C(max). In a sponge angiogenesis model, CP-673,451 inhibited 70% of PDGF-BB-stimulated angiogenesis at a dose of 3 mg/kg (q.d. x 5, p.o., corresponding to 5.5 ng/mL at C(max)). The compound did not inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor- or basic fibroblast growth factor-induced angiogenesis at concentrations which inhibited tumor growth. The antitumor efficacy of CP-673,451 was evaluated in a number of human tumor xenografts grown s.c. in athymic mice, including H460 human lung carcinoma, Colo205 and LS174T human colon carcinomas, and U87MG human glioblastoma multiforme. Once-daily p.o. x 10 days dosing routinely inhibited tumor growth (ED(50) < or = 33 mg/kg). These data show that CP-673,451 is a pharmacologically selective PDGFR inhibitor, inhibits tumor PDGFR-beta phosphorylation, selectively inhibits PDGF-BB-stimulated angiogenesis in vivo, and causes significant tumor growth inhibition in multiple human xenograft models.

Pharmacological characterization of CP-547,632, a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor for cancer therapy.

Signaling through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (VEGFRs) is a key pathway initiating endothelial cell proliferation and migration resulting in angiogenesis, a requirement for human tumor growth and metastasis. Abrogation of signaling through VEGFR by a variety of approaches has been demonstrated to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth. Small molecule inhibitors of VEGFR tyrosine kinase have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis, inhibit tumor growth, and prevent metastases. Our goal was to discover and characterize an p.o. active VEGFR-2 small molecule inhibitor. A novel isothiazole, CP-547,632, was identified as a potent inhibitor of the VEGFR-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) kinases (IC(50) = 11 and 9 nM, respectively). It is selective relative to epidermal growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor beta, and other related TKs. It also inhibits VEGF-stimulated autophosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in a whole cell assay with an IC(50) value of 6 nM. After oral administration of CP-547,632 to mice bearing NIH3T3/H-ras tumors, VEGFR-2 phosphorylation in tumors was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion (EC(50) = 590 ng/ml). These plasma concentrations correlated well with the observed concentrations of the compound necessary to inhibit VEGF-induced corneal angiogenesis in BALB/c mice. A sponge angiogenesis assay was used to directly compare the inhibitory activities of CP-547,632 against FGF receptor 2 or VEGFR-2; this compound potently inhibits both basic FGF and VEGF-induced angiogenesis in vivo. The antitumor efficacy of this agent was evaluated after once daily p.o. administration to athymic mice bearing human xenografts and resulted in as much as 85% tumor growth inhibition. CP-547,632 is a well-tolerated, orally-bioavailable inhibitor presently under clinical investigation for the treatment of human malignancies.