Inhibition of Ovarian Cancer Growth by a Tumor-Targeting Peptide That Binds Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4E

• Published in: Clinical cancer research 2009-07, Vol.15 (13), p.4336-4347
• Main Authors: Ko, Song Yi, Guo, Huifang, Barengo, Nicolas, Naora, Honami
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic agents; Antineoplastic Agents - metabolism; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma - drug therapy; Carcinoma - metabolism; Carcinoma - pathology; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Down-Regulation - drug effects; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; Drug Design; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E - antagonists & inhibitors; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E - chemistry; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4E - metabolism; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G - antagonists & inhibitors; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G - metabolism; eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E; experimental therapeutics; Female; Female genital diseases; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - chemistry; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - metabolism; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - therapeutic use; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Nude; ovarian cancer; Ovarian Neoplasms - drug therapy; Ovarian Neoplasms - metabolism; Ovarian Neoplasms - pathology; Peptide Fragments - metabolism; Peptide Fragments - pharmacology; Peptide Fragments - therapeutic use; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Protein Binding; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - chemistry; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - metabolism; Recombinant Fusion Proteins - therapeutic use; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumors; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
• ISSN: 1078-0432; 1557-3265
• DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-2924

Purpose: A critical step of protein synthesis involves the liberation of the mRNA cap-binding translation initiation factor eIF4E from 4EBP inhibitory binding proteins, and its engagement to the scaffolding protein eIF4G. eIF4E is a candidate target for cancer therapy because it is overexpressed or activated in many types of tumors and has tumorigenic properties. Our aim was to design and evaluate 4EBP-based peptides for their antitumor activity in ovarian cancer. Experimental Design: The ability of peptides to bind and inhibit eIF4E was determined by immunoprecipitation and by assaying cap-dependent reporter synthesis. To target ovarian tumors, the lead candidate 4EBP peptide was fused to an analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Cellular uptake of peptide, and effects on cell viability and cell death were determined. The antitumor activity of fusion peptide was evaluated in female nude mice bearing i.p. ovarian tumor xenografts. Results: 4EBP-based peptides bound eIF4E, prevented eIF4E from binding eIF4G, and inhibited cap-dependent translation. GnRH agonist-4EBP fusion peptide was taken up by, and inhibited the growth of, GnRH receptor-expressing tumor cells, but not receptor-negative cells. Intraperitoneal tumor burden was significantly smaller in mice treated with fusion peptide than in mice treated with saline ( P < 0.001). Ascites was also reduced in peptide-treated mice. Significant cytotoxic effects to host tissues were not observed. On the other hand, treatment with GnRH agonist alone did not inhibit tumor growth or ascites. Conclusion: Because ovarian cancer is rarely cured by conventional chemotherapies, GnRH-4EBP fusion peptide may be of therapeutic potential for treatment of this disease.