Abstract 1153: Effective treatment of cancer associated cachexia by AV-380, a GDF15 inhibitory antibody

Abstract Background: One of the most lethal and debilitating effects of cancer is the development of cancer-related anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS). It affects the majority of advanced cancer patients and is thought to be responsible for up to ∼30% of all cancer deaths. CACS is a complex metabolic syndrome associated with malnutrition and severe involuntary weight loss due to the loss of muscle and fat tissue, as well as the clinical manifestation of anemia, inflammation and suppression of immune functions. The precise molecular mechanisms responsible for cancer cachexia are poorly understood, thus limiting the development of effective therapeutics. Current evidence suggests that a pro-inflammatory state may be responsible for many of the symptoms associated with CACS. Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine whose circulating levels are significantly increased in cachectic cancer patients and several animal models of cancer cachexia. Here we demonstrate that the inhibition of GDF15 function results in the compete reversion of the phenotypic and metabolic changes associated with CASC. Methods: Mice bearing HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma xenografts have increased plasma GDF15 levels and develop cachexia were used in this study. Tumor bearing animals were treated either with AV-380, a GDF15 neutralizing antibody or IgG1 control. The effect on body weight, muscle/fat mass and organ sizes were assessed. Metabolic changes induced by the treatment were measured by a comprehensive laboratory animal monitoring system (CLAMS). Results: Treatment with AV-380 restored body weight, muscle and fat mass as well as normal organ sizes. Analyses of the CLAMS data demonstrated that mice receiving AV-380 reversed the phenotypic and metabolic changes associated with the cachexia induced by this tumor model. Moreover, AV-380 treated mice showed an increase in locomotor activity and energy expenditure, achieving levels similar to non tumor bearing control animals. Conclusions: Inhibition of GDF15 function completely reverted body weight loss, restored normal body composition and triggered a catabolic to anabolic metabolic switch in this cancer cachexia model. The data highlights the therapeutic potential of the GDF15 inhibitory antibody AV-380 for the treatment for CACS. Citation Format: Lorena Lerner, Nianjun Tao, Brian Krieger, Richard Nicoletti, Bin Feng, Nesreen Ismail, William Winston, Yanyu Zhang, Jinwei Jiang, Solly Weiler, Jeno Gyuris. Effective treatment of cancer associated cachexia by AV-380, a GDF15 inhibitory antibody. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1153. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1153