Copper Binding by Tetrathiomolybdate Attenuates Angiogenesis and Tumor Cell Proliferation through the Inhibition of Superoxide Dismutase 1

Purpose: A second-generation tetrathiomolybdate analogue (ATN-224; choline tetrathiomolybdate), which selectively binds copper with high affinity, is currently completing two phase I clinical trials in patients with advanced solid and advanced hematologic malignancies. However, there is very little information about the mechanism of action of ATN-224 at the molecular level. Experimental Design: The effects of ATN-224 on endothelial and tumor cell growth were evaluated in cell culture experiments in vitro . The antiangiogenic activity of ATN-224 was investigated using the Matrigel plug model of angiogenesis. Results: ATN-224 inhibits superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) in tumor and endothelial cells. The inhibition of SOD1 leads to inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and attenuation of angiogenesis in vivo . The inhibition of SOD1 activity in endothelial cells is dose and time dependent and leads to an increase in the steady-state levels of superoxide anions, resulting in the inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation without apparent induction of apoptosis. In contrast, the inhibition of SOD1 in tumor cells leads to the induction of apoptosis. The effects of ATN-224 on endothelial and tumor cells could be substantially reversed using Mn(III)tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin chloride, a catalytic small-molecule SOD mimetic. Conclusions: These data provide a distinct molecular target for the activity of ATN-224 and provide validation for SOD1 as a target for the inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor growth.