ABT-510 is a molecular therapeutic drug used to treat cancer. According to the Journal of Clinical Oncology, ABT-510 is a "subcutaneously (SC) administered nonapeptide thrombospondin analogue in phase 2 clinical development for treatment of advanced malignancies."^[1][2]

ABT-510 is a new Abbott Laboratories compound showing promise as an angiogenesis inhibitor or anti-angiogenic agent, meaning it works by stopping the growth of new blood vessels.^[2] This Thrombospondin 1 mimetic works through CD36 and has been shown to block angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo and to slow tumor growth in mice.

ABT-510 was shown to be effective in both xenograft models ^[3] and in a study of companion dogs with spontaneous tumors. Not only were objective responses observed after 60 days, but a decrease in levels of circulating endothelial cells was also found.^[4]

In human studies, ABT-510 was found to be safe and have efficacy in phase I trials in combination regimens ^[5] ,^[6] and as a single agent, where its use was associated with a decrease in bFGF levels and stable disease in six patients for at least six months.^[7]

The combination of bevacizumab and ABT-510 has been shown (in a phase I study) to be effective in promoting stable disease in 44% of patients with advanced solid tumors.^[8]

Unfortunately, the recent phase II study of ABT-510 for treatment of metastatic melanoma failed to reach its primary endpoint resulting in early termination of the study. Only three out of twenty-one patients reached the primary endpoint of progression-free survival at 18 weeks, but these three patients remained progression-free for 21, 34, and 42 weeks. However, biomarker data collected during this study showed a decrease in VEGF-C, circulating endothelial cells, and CD146 and CD34/133 counts, and a maximum tolerated dose has still not been established. Further study could consider a higher dose and/or combination treatment.^[9]

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