Cutaneous Hemangiomas and Signal Transduction

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application focuses on using the information gained during the previous cycle of this proposal to the treatment of hemangiomas, vascular malformations and malignant vascular tumors. We have demonstrated three different signaling processes that underlie the three classes of vascular lesions, and have come up with novel approaches to treat these lesions. In particular, we have found that hemangiomas of infancy use a reactive oxygen/Akt/Angiopoietin-2 signaling pathway and have shown that inhibitors of this pathway are efficacious in the treatment of hemangiomas in both mice and humans. Second, we have found that many vascular malformations use an Akt dependent but reactive oxygen independent pathway. Given that agents that induce endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) downregulate Akt, therapeutic induction of ER stress may lead to novel therapies for vascular malformations. Indeed, we have found that honokiol, a small molecule angiogenesis inhibitor, is a potent inducer of ER stress, as well as an inhibitor of ras signaling. Finally, we have found a novel compound, tris DBA palladium, which blocks src family kinase signaling by blocking myristoylation. Of importance, tris DBA palladium exhibits activity in vivo against tumor xenografts. Given that hemangiomas likely require src family kinase activity, and that tris DBA palladium prevents src family kinase activation through inhibition of myristoylation, tris DBA palladium might be a novel therapy for hemangiomas. Studies performed during the last funding period have suggested that hemangiomas and vascular malformations can be distinguished by signaling pathways. Interestingly, propranolol, a beta blocker, has become the treatment of choice for large hemangiomas of infancy. Propranolol is also an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, thus its activity may be independent of beta blockade, and thus treatment of hemangiomas may be accomplished without the hospitalization associated with beta blockade side effects in infants. We may be able to accomplish this by using optically active isomers that are inactive as beta blockers but active as NADPH oxidase inhibitors. Patients with hemangiomas and PHACE (P - Posterior fossa abnormalities, H - Hemangioma(s) of the cervical facial region, A - Arterial cerebrovascular anomalies, C - Cardiac defects, aortic coarctation and other aortic abnormalities, E - Eye anomalies) syndrome are at increased risk of stroke, so an agent that doesn't lower blood pressure would be of great benefit to these children. Hypothesis: Differences in signal transduction can guide the treatment of endothelial neoplasms in vivo. Specific Aim 1: To evaluate the activity of optical isomers of beta blockers as antihemangioma agents. Specific Aim 2: To evaluate the combination of ER stress and mTOR blockade against vascular malformation models. Specific Aim 3: To determine the role of myristoyltransferase inhibition on hemangioma growth in vivo.