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Anti-Angiogenesis Soluble Receptor

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Neha Vapiwala, MD
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Last Modified: September 27, 2005

VEGF Trap

• VEGF Trap is a fully human fusion protein designed from components of VEGFR-1 and -2. It is soluble (travels freely in blood) and is able to bind VEGF-A more tightly than monoclonal antibodies. In addition to VEGF-A, this drug also blocks placental growth factor (PIGF), another angiogenic substance that is thought to play a role in tumor angiogenesis.

• VEGF Trap has a relatively long half-life of approximately two weeks.

• The MTD has not yet been reached, and the most common adverse events observed were fatigue, pain, and constipation.

• There is an ongoing phase I, open-label, dose-escalation study of intravenous VEGF Trap in patients with advanced cancers are promising.

• Preliminary efficacy analysis shows tumor size reduction and prolonged stable disease in some patients after single-agent VEGF Trap. One patient achieved a partial response with disappearance of ascites, two patients had minor responses, and one patient has maintained stable disease for over 11 months to date.

• Phase I studies now accruing include:

• VEGF Trap plus FOLFOX4 chemotherapy (oxaliplatin/5-fluorouracil/leucovorin) in patients with advanced solid tumors

• Single-agent VEGF Trap in patients with relapsed or refractory advanced solid tumors or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma