ATLANTA, GA - Eunice Wang, MD, Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), will present pre-clinical research for a novel anti-angiogenic agent for hematological cancers at the 47^th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology, December 10 -13, Atlanta, GA.

Leukemias are cancers of the blood-forming system and account for about two percent of all cancers. Lymphomas, cancers of the lymphatic system, account for approximately three percent of all malignancies. While survival rates vary according to the type of cancer, research has led to treatment advances which have improved cure rates. Angiogenesis-based research offer promise for novel targeted therapeutic approaches to these diseases. 

“Preclinical Anti-Tumor Efficacy of ABT-510 (Thrombospondin-1 Mimetic Peptide), A Novel Anti-Angiogenic Agent, in Hematological Malignancies,” (Abstract # 2423) 

Embargoed until Sunday, December 11 - 9:15 am

Hall B4-Georgia World Congress Center

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is a matrix protein implicated in cancer cell adhesion, migration and invasion and has been shown to be a potent anti-angiogenic agent (inhibitor of new blood vessel formation promoting tumor growth) in solid tumors. Eunice Wang, MD, and her colleagues found that TSP-1 levels were lower in leukemia and lymphoma cells and patient samples, suggesting that the absence of this protein may have contributed to cancer growth. Therefore, they treated lymphoma tumors grown in animal models with ABT-510 (a novel synthetic peptide derivative of TSP-1) and found that replacement of TSP-1 levels using ABT-510 peptide reduced tumor volumes. Furthermore, ABT-510 treatment of widespread SKI-DLBCL lymphoma in animal models improved long-term survival and delayed disease progression. Additional data demonstrated that combining this anti-angiogenic peptide (ABT-510) with doxorubicin (a chemotherapy drug routinely used for lymphoma treatment) enhanced this anti-tumor effect in animal models. These data support a role for TSP-1 levels in controlling the malignant growth of hematological cancers and suggest that ABT-510 merits additional preclinical and clinical studies in these diseases, particularly in combination treatment regimens.

The American Society of Hematology’s (ASH) annual meeting provides a forum for nearly 20,000 clinicians, scientists and others from around the world to discuss the latest developments in scientific research in hematology. ASH strives to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood, bone marrow, and the immunologic, hemostatic and vascular systems, by promoting research, clinical care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment, and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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