Synergy of Nab-paclitaxel and Bevacizumab in Eradicating Large Orthotopic Breast Tumors and Preexisting Metastases

• Main Authors: Lisa D. Volk, Michael J. Flister, Deena Chihade, Neil Desai, Vuong Trieu, Sophia Ran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2011-04-01
• Series: Neoplasia: An International Journal for Oncology Research
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S147655861180014X

Introduction Patients with metastatic disease are considered incurable. We previously showed that nabpaclitaxel (nanoparticle albumin-embedded paclitaxel) combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) antibody, bevacizumab, eradicates orthotopic small-sized breast tumors and metastasis. Here, we assessed this therapy in two models of advanced (450–600 mm3) breast tumors and delineated VEGF-A-dependent mechanisms of tumor resistance. Methods Mice with luciferase-tagged advanced MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 tumors were treated with saline, nab-paclitaxel (10 or 30 mg/kg), bevacizumab (4 mg/kg), or combined drugs. Lymphatic and lung metastases were measured by luciferase assay. Proinflammatory and survival pathways were measured by ELISA, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results Nab-paclitaxel transiently suppressed primary tumors by 70% to 90% but had no effect on metastasis. Coadministration of bevacizumab increased the response rate to 99%, including 71% of complete responses in MDA-MB-231-bearing mice treated concurrently with 30 mg/kg of nab-paclitaxel. This combinatory regimen significantly reduced or eliminated preexisting lymphatic and distant metastases in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 models. The mechanism involves paclitaxel-induced NF-κB pathway that upregulates VEGF-A and other tumor prosurvival proteins. Conclusions Bevacizumab prevents tumor recurrence and metastasis promoted by nab-paclitaxel activation of NF-κB pathway. Combination therapy with high-dosed nab-paclitaxel demonstrates the potential to eradicate advanced primary tumors and preexisting metastases. These findings strongly support translating this regimen into clinics.