Intradermal angiogenesis in nude mice induced by human tumor cells or b-FGF

Abstract

Tumor-induced angiogenesis is a promising target for anti-cancer drugs. However, testing of angiostatic drugs in vivo requires adequate models. Thus, our study was aimed at establishing angiogenesis models in the skin of nude mice which allow use of both human cancer cells and growth factors for inducing blood vessel formation. The angiogenic activity of the two human tumor cell lines SiHa (cervix) and MDA-MB-231 (breast) was evaluated following intradermal injection. Angiogenesis was demonstrated to be a time- and cell concentration-dependent process. Alternatively, bFGF (1 µg) adsorbed to microspheres was effective in eliciting an angiogenic response under similar conditions. Both models were validated by use of the standard angiostatic combination cortisone plus heparin. Moreover, of a series of compounds tested, suramin, compound 62–759 (platelet-activating factor antagonist) and 89–443 (aromatase inhibitor) were found to exert significant angiostatic effects. In conclusion, tumor-and growth factor-induced angiogenesis in the skin of nude mice may be an interesting alternative for studying blood vessel formation in vivo.