The multi-targeted kinase inhibitor SU5416 inhibits small cell lung cancer growth and angiogenesis, in part by blocking Kit-mediated VEGF expression

SU5416 is a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor that potentially has the ability to directly block tumor growth by inhibiting Kit signaling, as well as blocking angiogenesis by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) signaling. Previous work has demonstrated that SU5416 efficiently blocks Kit-mediated growth of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in vitro. To determine the drug's effect on in vivo growth of SCLC, we studied its activity, alone and in combination with carboplatin, in chemotherapy-resistant H526, and chemotherapy-sensitive H209 murine xenograft models. SU5416 efficiently inhibited Kit activity in vivo when administered on a twice-weekly schedule. When administered over a 3-week period to animals bearing established tumors, it inhibited growth by at least 70%. It was at least as effective as carboplatin in suppressing growth of H526 xenografts. However, the combination with carboplatin was not superior to the most active single agent in either xenograft model at the doses and schedule utilized. SU5416 clearly inhibited growth in part by inhibiting angiogenesis, with microvessel density dropping by approximately 50% in treated xenografts. In addition to the recognized mechanism of inhibition of VEGFR, we uncovered a novel mechanism of angiogenesis suppression by demonstrating reduced VEGF expression in SU5416-treated xenografts. In vitro, stem cell factor treatment of the H526 cell line enhanced expression of VEGF, which was efficiently blocked with SU5416. Thus, we have demonstrated that SU5416 can inhibit SCLC growth by directly inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and by inhibiting angiogenesis, in part by inhibiting Kit-mediated VEGF expression. These data suggest that kinase inhibitors that target both Kit and VEGFR could play an important role in the treatment of SCLC, as well as other malignancies that express Kit.