Modified C-type natriuretic peptide normalizes tumor vasculature, reinvigorates antitumor immunity, and improves solid tumor therapies

Abstract

Deficit of oxygen and nutrients in the tumor microenvironment (TME) triggers abnormal angiogenesis that produces dysfunctional and leaky blood vessels, which fail to adequately perfuse tumor tissues. Resulting hypoxia, exacerbation of metabolic disturbances, and generation of an immunosuppressive TME undermine the efficacy of anticancer therapies. Use of carefully scheduled angiogenesis inhibitors has been suggested to overcome these problems and normalize the TME. Here, we propose an alternative agonist-based normalization approach using a derivative of the C-type natriuretic peptide (dCNP). Multiple gene expression signatures in tumor tissues were affected in mice treated with dCNP. In several mouse orthotopic and subcutaneous solid tumor models including colon and pancreatic adenocarcinomas, this well-tolerated agent stimulated formation of highly functional tumor blood vessels to reduce hypoxia. Administration of dCNP also inhibited stromagenesis and remodeling of the extracellular matrix and decreased tumor interstitial fluid pressure. In addition, treatment with dCNP reinvigorated the antitumor immune responses. Administration of dCNP decelerated growth of primary mouse tumors and suppressed their metastases. Moreover, inclusion of dCNP into the chemo-, radio-, or immune-therapeutic regimens increased their efficacy against solid tumors in immunocompetent mice. These results demonstrate the proof of principle for using vasculature normalizing agonists to improve therapies against solid tumors and characterize dCNP as the first in class among such agents.