Cited by 252Cancer, Hypoxia, and MetabolismAngiogenesis and VEGF in CancerRNA Interference and Gene Delivery

A RNA antagonist of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, EZN-2968, inhibits tumor cell growth

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Greenberger, Lee M., Horak, Ivan D., Filpula, David, Sapra, Puja, Westergaard, Majken, Frydenlund, Henrik F., Albæk, Charlotte, Schrøder, Henrik +1 more·2008·Molecular Cancer Therapeutics

Abstract

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a transcription factor that plays a critical role in angiogenesis, survival, metastasis, drug resistance, and glucose metabolism. Elevated expression of the α-subunit of HIF-1 (HIF-1α), which occurs in response to hypoxia or activation of growth factor pathways, is associated with poor prognosis in many types of cancer. Therefore, down-regulation of HIF-1α protein by RNA antagonists may control cancer growth. EZN-2968 is a RNA antagonist composed of third-generation oligonucleotide, locked nucleic acid, technology that specifically binds and inhibits the expression of HIF-1α mRNA. In vitro, in human prostate (15PC3, PC3, and DU145) and glioblastoma (U373) cells, EZN-2968 induced a potent, selective, and durable antagonism of HIF-1 mRNA and protein expression (IC50, 1-5 nmol/L) under normoxic and hypoxic conditions associated with inhibition of tumor cell growth. Additionally, down-regulation of HIF-1α protein by EZN-2968 led to reduction of its transcriptional targets and of human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation. In vivo, administration of EZN-2968 to normal mice led to specific, dose-dependent, and highly potent down-regulation of endogenous HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor in the liver. The effect can last for days after administration of single dose of EZN-2968 and is associated with long residence time of locked nucleic acid in certain tissues. In efficacy studies, tumor reduction was found in nude mice implanted with DU145 cells treated with EZN-2968. Ongoing phase I studies of EZN-2968 in patients with advanced malignancies will determine optimal dose and schedule for the phase II program. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(11):3598–608]

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  • IC50 values for HIF-2α, with which EZN-2968 has a 3-base-pair mismatch, were five times higher than for HIF-1α in all cell lines tested, supporting relative selectivity of EZN-2968 for HIF-1α.

    “IC50 values for the HIF-2α isoform, with which EZN-2968 has a 3-base-pair mismatch, were 5 times higher in all cell lines tested compared to IC50 values for HIF-1α, supporting the relative selectivity of EZN-2968 for HIF-1α [11].”

    From Pilot trial of EZN-2968, an antisense oligonucleotide inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), in patients with refractory solid tumors (2014) · cites this paper as [11]

    Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

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  • Preclinical biodistribution studies showed prolonged and preferential retention of EZN-2968 in the liver.

    “Because preclinical biodistribution studies of EZN-2968 documented prolonged and preferential retention in the liver [11]”

    From Pilot trial of EZN-2968, an antisense oligonucleotide inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), in patients with refractory solid tumors (2014) · cites this paper as [11]

    The Biodistribution and Tissue Half-life section reports prolonged retention in mice, with an estimated tissue half-life of about 200 hours, and identifies the liver as a major site of accumulation. It also reports broad distribution to several organs and similar half-lives across tissues, so it does not establish preferential retention in the liver. No page number is available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Inhibition of HIF-1α by EZN-2698 attenuates HIF-1α protein level and tumor progression in various in vitro and in vivo studies.

    “It was reported that inhibition of HIF-1α by EZN-2698 attenuates HIF-1α protein level and tumor progression in various in vitro (human prostate and glioblastoma cell lines) and in vivo studies52.”

    From HIF-1α pathway: role, regulation and intervention for cancer therapy (2015) · cites this paper as [52]

    The Discussion and tumor-cell Results report that EZN-2968 reduces HIF-1α protein in vitro, including in prostate and glioblastoma cell lines, and partially inhibits tumor growth in mice. The citing sentence names EZN-2698 instead; the source identifies the antagonist as EZN-2968. (LLM, conf=0.90)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • EZN-2698 is an antisense oligonucleotide that specifically binds and inhibits HIF-1α mRNA and HIF-1α target genes.

    “EZN-2698 (1) is an anti-sense oligonucleotide, an RNA antagonist which specifically binds and inhibits the expression of HIF-1α mRNA as well as HIF-1α target genes.”

    From HIF-1α pathway: role, regulation and intervention for cancer therapy (2015) · cites this paper as [52]

    The Introduction and Discussion describe an antisense RNA antagonist that binds and reduces HIF-1α mRNA and HIF-1α-regulated genes. But they identify it as EZN-2968, not EZN-2698; our copy does not establish that the named compound has these properties. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The in vivo effect of EZN-2968 in a subcutaneous prostate cancer cell line xenograft model did not result in a significant reduction in tumor burden, but pre-treatment of cells with EZN-2968 prior to injection resulted in a significant reduction in tumor size.

    “The in vivo effect of EZN-2968 has also been tested in a subcutaneous prostate cancer cell line xenograft model and, although treatment did not result in a significant reduction in tumor burden, pre-treatment of cells with EZN-2968 prior to injection resulted in a significant reduction in tumor size.”

    From Therapeutic targeting of hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factors in cancer (2016) · cites this paper as Greenberger et al., 2008

    Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

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Authors
Greenberger, L. M., Horak, I. D., Filpula, D., Sapra, P., Westergaard, M., Frydenlund, H. F., Albæk, C., Schrøder, H., & Ørum, H.
Affiliations
  • Enzon Pharmaceuticals (United States) (US)
  • 2Santaris Pharma A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
Venue
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
Published
2008-11-01
Volume
7
Issue
11
Pages
3598-3608
ISSN
  • 1535-7163 (ISSN-L)
  • 1538-8514
OpenAlex
W2158916045
Cited by
245
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 22 · 2012: 25
FWCI
5.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • University of Southern Denmark Research Portal (University of Southern Denmark) (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Angiogenesis and VEGF in Cancer
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
Keywords
HIF-1α, HIF-1, RNA interference, locked nucleic acid, prostate cancer, glioblastoma, tumor growth inhibition, angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor, hypoxia
MeSH terms
Animals, Antineoplastic Agents, Humans, Liver, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Oligonucleotides, RNA, Messenger, Transcription, Genetic, Transfection, Down-Regulation, Models, Animal, Cell Line, Tumor, Mice, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit

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