Vol. 296, Issue 2, 623-631, February 2001

Bradykinin Modulation of Tumor Vasculature: I. Activation of B₂ Receptors Increases Delivery of Chemotherapeutic Agents into Solid Peripheral Tumors, Enhancing Their Efficacy

Dwaine F. Emerich, Pamela Snodgrass, Reginald L. Dean, Denise Lafreniere, Mary Agostino, Tania Wiens, Hua Xiong, Brant Hasler, Joanne Marsh, Melissa Pink, Byong Su Kim and Raymond T. Bartus

Preclinical Research and Development, Alkermes, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts

Delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to solid peripheral tumors is compromised because the impaired microvasculature within and surrounding tumors limits diffusion and convection of agents from the vasculature to the tumor. Using a variety of rat tumor models, we show that intravenous administration of a vasoactive bradykinin B₂ receptor agonist (Cereport, or labradimil; formerly RMP-7) enhances by nearly 3 times the delivery of the chemotherapeutic agent carboplatin, as well as the larger 70-kDa marker dextran, into ectopic and orthotopic solid tumors. This effect was selective for tumor tissue, with little or no increase seen in nontumor tissues and organs. Additionally, the increased carboplatin levels observed in tumors persisted for at least 90 min (the longest time point measured). In contrast to the consistent effects with hydrophilic compounds, delivery of the lipophilic, high protein-binding chemotherapeutics paclitaxel and 1,3-bis[2-chloroethyl]-1-nitrourea (BNCU) was not enhanced. Administration of Cereport with either carboplatin or another hydrophilic chemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin, significantly increased efficacy of both agents, manifested by suppression of tumor growth and prolonged survival in tumor-bearing rats. These data demonstrate that delivery of chemotherapeutics to tumors can be pharmacologically increased (by stimulating bradykinin B₂ receptors) without increasing the systemic exposure, or therefore, the toxic liability associated with higher chemotherapeutic doses.