Targeting tumor angiogenic vasculature using polymer-RGD conjugates

J Control Release. 2005 Jan 20;102(1):191-201. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2004.09.023.

Abstract

Sites of neovascular angiogenesis are important chemotherapy targets. In this study, the synthesis, characterization, in-vivo imaging and biodistribution of a technetium-99m labeled, water-soluble, N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer carrying doubly cyclized Arg-Gly-Asp motifs (HPMA copolymer-RGD4C conjugate) are reported. In vitro endothelial cell adhesion assays indicated that HPMA copolymer-RGD4C conjugates inhibited alphaVbeta3-mediated endothelial cell adhesion while HPMA copolymer Arg-Gly-Glu control conjugates (HPMA copolymer-RGE4C conjugate) and hydrolyzed HPMA copolymer precursor (HPMA copolymer) showed no activity. The scintigraphic images of prostate tumor bearing SCID mice obtained 24 h post-i.v. injection indicated greater tumor localization of HPMA copolymer-RGD4C conjugate than the control, HPMA copolymer-RGE4C conjugate. The 24-h necropsy radioactivity data showed that HPMA copolymer-RGD4C conjugate had significantly higher (p<0.001) tumor localization compared to HPMA copolymer-RGE4C conjugate and HPMA copolymer. Also, HPMA copolymer-RGD4C conjugates had sustained tumor retention over 72 h and reasonably efficient clearance from the background organs. These results suggest that specific tumor angiogenesis targeting is possible with HPMA copolymer-RGD4C conjugates. This construct provides a foundation that should support targeted delivery of radionuclides and drugs to solid tumors for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacokinetics
  • Oligopeptides / therapeutic use*
  • Polymers / pharmacokinetics
  • Polymers / therapeutic use*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods

Substances

  • Oligopeptides
  • Polymers
  • arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid