NCIt definition : A soluble fusion protein containing the extracellular domain of activin receptor-like
kinase-1 (ALK1) fused to a human Fc domain (ALK1-Fc fusion protein), with potential
antiangiogenic and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, dalantercept binds
to various ALK1 ligands, preventing activation of tumor cell ALK1 receptors and so
inhibiting the ALK1 signaling pathway; growth factor-induced angiogenesis is thus
inhibited, which may result in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and tumor
cell death. ALK1 is a type I cell surface receptor with serine/threonine kinase activity
that mediates signaling by members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta)
superfamily and plays a key role in angiogenesis; ligands for this receptor include
TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2. The Fc moiety of this fusion protein mediates clearance of
ligand-fusion protein complexes by the reticuloendothelial system (RES).;