Photodynamic therapy (PDT) continues to be an effective clinical procedure for treating solid tumors but the procedure has not been optimized and recurrences can occur. The long-term objective of our proposal is to improve upon the efficacy of PDT. The rationale for this application builds upon observations that PDT induces significant changes within the tumor microenvironment that can lead to an angiogenic and/or survival phenotype. We have found that PDT can induce expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) within treated tumors. Additional angiogenic factors, including matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as well as survival molecules, Akt and survivin, are increased and/or activated following PDT. We hypothesize that combining PDT with appropriately targeted and delivered angiogenic inhibitors will significantly improve the long-term therapeutic responsiveness of PDT. We further hypothesize that PDT mediated changes within the tumor microenvironment associated with the expression and activation of MMP- 9 and survivin can decrease PDT efficacy.
Three specific aims will address our hypotheses.
In specific aim 1 we will determine how best to combine antiangiogenic therapy to optimize PDT efficacy. Antiangiogenic agents that target VEGF (Avastin), VEGF receptor-2 (DC 101),and the receptor tyrosine kinase of VEGF (ZD6474) will be evaluated in experiments designed to examine tumor and normal tissue response.
In specific aim 2, we will determine the impact that PDT induced alterations to the tumor microenvironment associated with MMP-9 expression and activation have on modulating treatment responsiveness. MMP-9 knockout mice will be used to determine the role of this proteinase in PDT outcomes.
In specific aim 3, we will determine the impact of survivin expression and activation within the tumor microenvironment on PDT responsiveness. Tumors genetically modified to express wild type or a dominant negative mutant form of survivin will be used to determine the role of this inhibitor of apoptosis in modulating PDT tumor response. We will also determine the effectiveness of combining PDT with the Hsp90/survivin inhibitor 17-AAG[17- (allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin). The successful completion of these aims will provide mechanistic information regarding PDT modulation of the tumor microenvironment and translational data needed to justify including targeted inhibitors with PDT.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA031230-27
Application #
8002078
Study Section
Radiation Therapeutics and Biology Study Section (RTB)
Program Officer
Wong, Rosemary S
Project Start
1982-03-01
Project End
2012-12-31
Budget Start
2011-01-01
Budget End
2012-12-31
Support Year
27
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$344,599
Indirect Cost
Name
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Department
Type
DUNS #
052277936
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90027
Ferrario, Angela; Lim, Sophia; Xu, Frank et al. (2011) Enhancement of photodynamic therapy by 2,5-dimethyl celecoxib, a non-cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor analog of celecoxib. Cancer Lett 304:33-40
Ferrario, Angela; Luna, Marian; Rucker, Natalie et al. (2011) Pro-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties of the green tea constituent epigallocatechin gallate increase photodynamic therapy responsiveness. Lasers Surg Med 43:644-50
Ferrario, Angela; Gomer, Charles J (2010) Targeting the tumor microenvironment using photodynamic therapy combined with inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 or vascular endothelial growth factor. Methods Mol Biol 635:121-32
Luna, Marian; Ferrario, Angela; Wong, Sam et al. (2010) Identification of MAP kinase pathways involved in COX-2 expression following photofrin photodynamic therapy. Methods Mol Biol 635:47-63
Ferrario, Angela; Gomer, Charles J (2010) Targeting the 90 kDa heat shock protein improves photodynamic therapy. Cancer Lett 289:188-94
Luna, Marian; Wong, Sam; Ferrario, Angela et al. (2008) Cyclooxygenase-2 expression induced by photofrin photodynamic therapy involves the p38 MAPK pathway. Photochem Photobiol 84:509-14
Ferrario, Angela; Rucker, Natalie; Wong, Sam et al. (2007) Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family, is induced by photodynamic therapy and is a target for improving treatment response. Cancer Res 67:4989-95
Bozkulak, Ozguncem; Wong, Sam; Luna, Marian et al. (2007) Multiple components of photodynamic therapy can phosphorylate Akt. Photochem Photobiol 83:1029-33
Ferrario, Angela; Fisher, Anita M; Rucker, Natalie et al. (2005) Celecoxib and NS-398 enhance photodynamic therapy by increasing in vitro apoptosis and decreasing in vivo inflammatory and angiogenic factors. Cancer Res 65:9473-8
Ferrario, Angela; Chantrain, Christophe F; von Tiehl, Karl et al. (2004) The matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor prinomastat enhances photodynamic therapy responsiveness in a mouse tumor model. Cancer Res 64:2328-32

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