Inhibition of tumor growth by antibody to ADAMTS1 in mouse xenografts of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-1 (ADAMTS1), a member of the ADAMTS family of proteases, is involved in the shedding of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like ligands such as amphiregulin, which activate the EGF receptor. Since ADAMTS1 has been implicated in aggressive breast carcinogenesis, we examined potential antitumor effects of antibody to ADAMTS1 in a mouse model of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS BALB/c female mice were inoculated with syngenic 4T1 breast cancer cells and treated with anti-ADAMTS1 antibody or control IgG. Tumor volume and weight were evaluated. RESULTS Mouse 4T1 cells expressed ADAMTS1 and its substrates amphiregulin and heparin-binding EGF. Treatment with antibody to ADAMTS1 inhibited tumor growth without any adverse effects. CONCLUSION ADAMTS1 could be a promising molecular target for immunotherapy of breast cancer.