TREATMENT OF MURINE HEMANGIOENDOTHELIOMAS WITH THE ANGIOGENESIS INHIBITOR AGM-1470

Hemangioma and other angiomatous diseases of childhood are common. Although most lesions are harmless and self-limiting, some are associated with significant morbidity and may be life-threatening. Interferon-alpha, a weak angiogenesis inhibitor, recently has been found to significantly reduce the mortality rate associated with life-threatening hemangiomas. The effectiveness of AGM-1470, a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis derived from the fungal product fumagillin, was tested in a mouse model of hemangioendothelioma. Thirty syngeneic mice were implanted with cells derived from a spontaneous mouse hemangioendothelioma. Tumors formed within 2 to 3 days, and the animals were then treated systemically with AGM-1470 or with saline and vehicle alone. After 22 days, the tumor volume in the saline-treated mice was 7368 +/- 2723 mm(3), versus 709 +/- 73 mm(3) in the mice that received AGM-1470 (P <.001). Survival was prolonged for the AGM-1470-treated mice, and there was no evidence of drug-related toxicity, All experiments were repeated, In this study, AGM 1470 was safe and highly effective in the treatment of hemangioendothelioma. AGM-1470, and other anti angiogenic agents, may provide safe and effective treatment for hemangioma and other angiomatous diseases.Copyright. (C) 1995 by W.B. Saunders Company