Decreased vascular endothelial growth factor expression associated with tumor regression induced by (E)-2'-deoxy-2'-(fluoromethylene)cytidine (MDL 101,731).

The effect of the antitumor drug MDL 101,731 [(E)-2'-deoxy-2'-(fluoromethylene)cytidine] on tumor growth and on steady-state vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA levels in MDA-MB-231, PC-3, MCF-7, and HT-29 human tumor xenografts grown in nude mice was examined, using quantitative in situ hybridization. MDL 101,731 caused regression of MDA-MB-231 and PC-3 tumor xenografts, but only inhibition of growth (without regression) of MCF-7 xenografts. The drug caused inhibition of growth of HT-29 xenografts at low doses, and regression at high doses. When treatment with MDL 101,731 led to tumor regression, VEGF mRNA levels were decreased. When treatment led only to inhibition of growth, there was no significant change in VEGF mRNA. Further examination of the tumor xenografts revealed that elevated VEGF mRNA was associated with hypoxic zones surrounding areas of necrosis in the tumors, and that the drop in VEGF mRNA observed in tumors from mice treated with MDL 101,731 correlated with a loss of zones of necrosis. In contrast, treatment with cisplatin led to either an increase (PC-3) or no change (MDA-MB-231) in VEGF mRNA levels, and no loss of necrotic zones. Quantitative analysis of changes in VEGF mRNA levels was supported by immunohistochemical analysis of VEGF protein in the same tumor specimens. In vitro, MDL 101,731 was a potent inhibitor of VEGF secretion in cells exposed to hypoxia, whereas there was no effect of cisplatin on VEGF secretion by three of the four cell lines tested. These findings suggest that inhibition of VEGF expression by MDL 101,731 may distinguish this compound from other classes of cytotoxic agents, such as cisplatin.