DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Transforming growth factor-beta isoforms (TGFβ1, β2, and β3) are secreted signaling proteins. They function as immunomodulatory factors and tumor suppressors in normal and early neoplastic cells, but in many established cancers, including androgen-independent prostate cancer, they promote tumor growth and metastasis. The therapeutic benefit of antagonizing TGFβ using neutralizing antibodies and small molecule receptor kinase inhibitors has been amply demonstrated in animal models of cancer, yet no inhibitors have been approved for cancer treatment in humans. The kinase inhibitor LY2157299 has significant off-target activity and has progressed slowly through clinical trials due to safety concerns. The pan-isoform neutralizing antibody GC1008, while specific and safe, has limited efficacy. The latter may be due to i) the limited affinity of the antibody (Kd 4-10 nM) that hinder its ability to compete against the endogenous receptor complex, a heterotetramer that binds the TGFβs with affinities of 0.1-1 pM, ii) a requirement that two antibodies bind to homodimeric TGFβ to completely block receptor binding, or iii) the large size of the antibody (160 kDa) and/or binding to Fc receptors that restricts its ability to penetrate the tumor and microenvironment. The objective of this study is to investigate a promising new class of TGFβ inhibitors in which the ligand-binding domains of the TGFβ receptors are fused together by flexible linkers. The advantages of these fusions include i) potentially higher affinities, ii) blockage of all receptor binding sites with a single inhibitor, and iii) reduced size (24-91 kDa). Through preliminary studies, four fusions have been generated. These potently inhibit TGFβ activity in vitro (EC50 2 nM -1 pM) and are highly effective in suppressing primary tumor growth and distant metastases in several models, including a xenograft model of human prostate cancer. The objective of Aim 1 is to generate a series of receptor fusions of varying affinity, blockage of receptor binding sites, and size - this will allow us to investigate our hypothesis tha these parameters determine therapeutic efficacy. The PK properties of the fusions will also be evaluated in Aim 1. The primary objective of Aim 2 is to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the fusions on primary tumor growth and number and size of metastatic colonies to the major organs in two genetic mouse models with spontaneous prostate carcinogenesis in an immune-competent background and a xenograft model of human prostate cancer in an immune compromised background. To better understand how the inhibitors influence therapeutic efficacy, we will investigate their PD properties and their effects on TGFβ - regulated immune suppression, angiogenesis, and EMT. The secondary objective of Aim 2 is to determine whether the fusions interfere with TGFβ's tumor suppressive and/or immune modulatory functions in immune competent mice - this will provide information as to how aggressively TGFβ can be inhibited without interfering with its function in normal cells and tissues. The long-term goal is o produce fusions for neutralizing TGFβ's tumor promoting activity that are both safe and effective for use in clinical trials for advanced prostate cancer.

PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This research will investigate a promising new approach for treating advance androgen- independent prostate cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. The proposed strategy is to reduce the levels of transforming growth factor-beta, which is known to promote the progression of prostate cancer, including its metastasis to the bone and lungs, by neutralizing it with novel fusion proteins in which the extracellular domains of the transforming growth factor beta receptors are linked together by artificial linkers.