Double antiangiogenic protein, DAAP, targeting VEGF-A and angiopoietins in tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and vascular leakage

Abstract

Two vascular growth factor families, VEGF and the angiopoietins, play critical and coordinate roles in tumor progression and metastasis. A single inhibitor targeting both VEGF and angiopoietins is not available. Here, we developed a chimeric decoy receptor, namely double anti-angiogenic protein (DAAP), which can simultaneously bind VEGF-A and angiopoietins, blocking their actions. Compared to VEGF-Trap or Tie2-Fc, which block either VEGF-A or angiopoietins alone, we believe DAAP is a highly effective molecule for regressing tumor angiogenesis and metastasis in implanted and spontaneous solid tumors; it can also effectively reduce ascites formation and vascular leakage in an ovarian carcinoma model. Thus, simultaneous blockade of VEGF-A and angiopoietins with DAAP is an effective therapeutic strategy for blocking tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and vascular leakage.