Abstract
Purpose:
To evaluate the effects of aflibercept on the growth and angiogenesis in retinoblastoma with in vivo and in vitro model.
Methods:
The anti-angiogenic effects of aflibercept were evaluated in a coculture of a Y-79 human retinoblastoma cell line and a human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVEC) cell line by means of a cell proliferation assay kit. The Y-79 xenotransplanted nude mice nude mice were treated with aflibercept (25mg/kg) intraperitoneally twice weekly for 3 weeks and the tumor size was measured once a week. The mice were then euthanized, and the weight of each tumor was measured and microvessel density within tumor was determined by CD31 immunohistochemical staining.
Results:
After aflibercept treatment, tumor growth was inhibited in Y-79 xenotransplanted model. Compared with control, the tumor size of aflibercept group was significantly less, which means that aflibercept could affect tumor growth of retinoblastoma. In addition, aflibercept treatment suppressed significantly tumor vessel density. HUVEC cell proliferation increased, when it cocultured with Y-79 cell. However, it was suppressed by aflibercept which block vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Conclusions:
Aflibercept could reduce retinoblastoma induced angiogenesis. With the reduced angiogenesis of retinoblastoma, tumor growth was significantly reduced in xenotransplantation. Therefore, aflibercept treatment in retinoblastoma could be an adjuvant role to reduce tumor sized and tumor invasion when it combined with systemic chemotherapy.