A non-RGD-based integrin binding peptide (ATN-161) blocks breast cancer growth and metastasis in vivo
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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Preparing a 68Ga-labeled Arginine Glycine Aspartate (RGD)-peptide for Angiogenesis
Published on: January 7, 2019
Parisa Khalili1, Ani Arakelian, Gaoping Chen
1Department of Medicine and Oncology, McGill University Health Center, Room H4.61, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1A1.
Purpose:
Integrins are expressed by numerous tumor types including breast cancer, in which they play a crucial role in tumor growth and metastasis. In this study, we evaluated the ability of ATN-161 (Ac-PHSCN-NH2), a 5-mer capped peptide derived from the synergy region of fibronectin that binds to alpha5beta1 and alphavbeta3 in vitro, to block breast cancer growth and metastasis.
Experimental Design:
MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were inoculated s.c. in the right flank, or cells transfected with green fluorescent protein (MDA-MB-231-GFP) were inoculated into the left ventricle of female BALB/c nu/nu mice, resulting in the development of skeletal metastasis. Animals were treated with vehicle alone or by i.v. infusion with ATN-161 (0.05-1 mg/kg thrice a week) for 10 weeks. Tumor volume was determined at weekly intervals and tumor metastasis was evaluated by X-ray, microcomputed tomography, and histology. Tumors were harvested for histologic evaluation.
Result:
Treatment with ATN-161 caused a significant dose-dependent decrease in tumor volume and either completely blocked or caused a marked decrease in the incidence and number of skeletal as well as soft tissue metastases. This was confirmed histologically as well as radiographically using X-ray and microcomputed tomography. Treatment with ATN-161 resulted in a significant decrease in the expression of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase, microvessel density, and cell proliferation in tumors grown in vivo.
Conclusion:
These studies show that ATN-161 can block breast cancer growth and metastasis, and provides a rationale for the clinical development of ATN-161 for the treatment of breast cancer.
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