Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology

ISSN for PRINT: 0731-8898

For Online Access

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2006, Volume25

Issue 1-2

546 pages

Issue price - $344.00

Angela Ferrario
Saban Research Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Charles J. Gomer
Saban Research Institute, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and Departments of Pediatrics and Radiation Oncology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The goal of the current study was to determine if the antiangiogenic drug Avastin would improve the effectiveness of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in a xenograft model of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Human KS-Imm tumors transplanted in nude mice were treated with Photofrin-mediated PDT. Expression parameters of proangiogenic molecules were documented and the tumoricidal effectiveness of PDT combined with the VEGF inhibitor Avastin was determined. PDT induced increased expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, PGE₂, TNF-α, and IL-1β within treated KS tumor tissue. Significant overexpression of KS cell derived human VEGF and to a lesser extent overexpression of host cell derived mouse VEGF were detected within treated tumors. Combining PDT with Avastin resulted in a significant increase in the long-term responsiveness of treated KS tumors when compared to individual treatments. These results demonstrate for the first time that Avastin can improve PDT treatment effectiveness and suggest that VEGF inhibitors may ameliorate the clinical efficacy of PDT.

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