Thalidomide is anti-angiogenic in a xenograft model of neuroblastoma

  • Authors:
    • Shipra Kaicker
    • Kimberly W. McCrudden
    • Leal Beck
    • Tamara New
    • Jianzhong Huang
    • Jason S. Frischer
    • Anna Serur
    • Angela Kadenhe-Chiweshe
    • Akiko Yokoi
    • Jessica J. Kandel
    • Darrell J. Yamashiro
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 1, 2003     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.23.6.1651
  • Pages: 1651-1655
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Abstract

Thalidomide has previously been shown to have anti-angiogenic properties. More recently, clinical efficacy of this agent has been demonstrated in multiple myeloma and prostate cancer. Neuroblastoma is the most frequent solid tumor of the abdomen of childhood, yet children with this disease frequently have metastases at presentation. Such patients have a very poor prognosis with current therapies. Thus, new approaches are needed. We have previously shown that VEGF antagonists can inhibit neoangiogenesis and tumor growth in experimental neuroblastoma. In this study, we investigated the anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor properties of thalidomide in a xenograft model of human neuroblastoma. Tumors were induced in athymic mice using the human neuroblastoma cell line NGP. Intraperitoneal thalidomide (100 mg/kg/dose) or vehicle was administered beginning one week after implantation, and animals euthanized at six weeks. Thalidomide treatment did not significantly alter tumor growth as compared with controls. However, thalidomide suppressed angiogenesis, as demonstrated both by fluorescein angiography and immunohistochemical staining, and induced apoptosis of endothelial cells in neuroblastoma xenografts. Quantification of microvessel density demonstrated a significant reduction of vasculature in treated tumors (p<0.004). Thalidomide induced co-option of host vasculature, an effect noted previously after VEGF blockade. This study demonstrates that thalidomide has anti-angiogenic properties in experimental neuroblastoma.

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December 2003
Volume 23 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Kaicker S, McCrudden KW, Beck L, New T, Huang J, Frischer JS, Serur A, Kadenhe-Chiweshe A, Yokoi A, Kandel JJ, Kandel JJ, et al: Thalidomide is anti-angiogenic in a xenograft model of neuroblastoma. Int J Oncol 23: 1651-1655, 2003
APA
Kaicker, S., McCrudden, K.W., Beck, L., New, T., Huang, J., Frischer, J.S. ... Yamashiro, D.J. (2003). Thalidomide is anti-angiogenic in a xenograft model of neuroblastoma. International Journal of Oncology, 23, 1651-1655. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.23.6.1651
MLA
Kaicker, S., McCrudden, K. W., Beck, L., New, T., Huang, J., Frischer, J. S., Serur, A., Kadenhe-Chiweshe, A., Yokoi, A., Kandel, J. J., Yamashiro, D. J."Thalidomide is anti-angiogenic in a xenograft model of neuroblastoma". International Journal of Oncology 23.6 (2003): 1651-1655.
Chicago
Kaicker, S., McCrudden, K. W., Beck, L., New, T., Huang, J., Frischer, J. S., Serur, A., Kadenhe-Chiweshe, A., Yokoi, A., Kandel, J. J., Yamashiro, D. J."Thalidomide is anti-angiogenic in a xenograft model of neuroblastoma". International Journal of Oncology 23, no. 6 (2003): 1651-1655. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.23.6.1651