Targeting Tumor Angiogenesis with the Selective VEGFR-3 Inhibitor EVT801 in Combination with Cancer Immunotherapy
Author:
Paillasse Michael R.1ORCID, Esquerré Michael1, Bertrand Florie A.1, Poussereau-Pomié Céline1, Pichery Mélanie1, Visentin Virgile1, Gueguen-Dorbes Geneviève1, Gaujarengues Florence1, Barron Pauline1, Badet Gaelle1, Briaux Anne1ORCID, Ancey Pierre-Benoit1, Sibrac David1, Erdociain Eric1, Özcelik Dennis2ORCID, Meneyrol Jérôme1, Martin Valérie3, Gomez-Brouchet Anne4, Selves Janik4, Rochaix Philippe4ORCID, Battistella Maxime5ORCID, Lebbé Céleste6, Delord Jean-Pierre4ORCID, Dol-Gleizes Frédérique1, Bono Françoise1, Blanc Isabelle1, Alam Antoine7, Hunneyball Ian8, Whittaker Mark8, Fons Pierre1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. 1Evotec France, Campus Curie, Toulouse CEDEX, France. 2. 2Evotec SE, Manfred Eigen Campus, Hamburg, Germany. 3. 3Sanofi, Chilly-Mazarin, France. 4. 4Institut Universitaire du Cancer Toulouse Oncopole (IUCT-O), Toulouse, Occitanie, France. 5. 5Université de Paris, Department of Pathology, AP-HP Hôpital Saint Louis, INSERM U976, Paris, France. 6. 6Université de Paris, Department of Dermatology, AP-HP Hôpital Saint Louis, INSERM U976, Paris, France. 7. 7Evotec ID, Lyon, France. 8. 8Evotec Ltd, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom.
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase VEGFR-3 plays a crucial role in cancer-induced angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, promoting tumor development and metastasis. Here, we report the novel VEGFR-3 inhibitor EVT801 that presents a more selective and less toxic profile than two major inhibitors of VEGFRs (i.e., sorafenib and pazopanib). As monotherapy, EVT801 showed a potent antitumor effect in VEGFR-3–positive tumors, and in tumors with VEGFR-3–positive microenvironments. EVT801 suppressed VEGF-C–induced human endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and tumor (lymph)angiogenesis in different tumor mouse models. In addition to reduced tumor growth, EVT801 decreased tumor hypoxia, favored sustained tumor blood vessel homogenization (i.e., leaving fewer and overall larger vessels), and reduced important immunosuppressive cytokines (CCL4, CCL5) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in circulation. Furthermore, in carcinoma mouse models, the combination of EVT801 with immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) yielded superior outcomes to either single treatment. Moreover, tumor growth inhibition was inversely correlated with levels of CCL4, CCL5, and MDSCs after treatment with EVT801, either alone or combined with ICT. Taken together, EVT801 represents a promising anti(lymph)angiogenic drug for improving ICT response rates in patients with VEGFR-3 positive tumors.
Significance:
The VEGFR-3 inhibitor EVT801 demonstrates superior selectivity and toxicity profile than other VEGFR-3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors. EVT801 showed potent antitumor effects in VEGFR-3–positive tumors, and tumors with VEGFR-3–positive microenvironments through blood vessel homogenization, and reduction of tumor hypoxia and limited immunosuppression. EVT801 increases immune checkpoint inhibitors’ antitumor effects.
Publisher
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
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