Abstract
Purpose: :
The aim of the current study is to assess the impact of the glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) on angiogenesis in advanced retinoblastoma tumors.
Methods: :
The study protocol was approved by the University of Miami Institutional Animal Care and Use Review Board Committee and the ARVO Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research. LHBETATAG mice received injections at 16 weeks of age (advanced tumors) of either saline or 2-DG. 2-DG (500 mg/kg) was administered through intraperitoneal injection, 3 times a week for 5 weeks (n = 5). Saline was administered the same way (n = 4). Eyes were enucleated at 21 weeks and tumor sections were analyzed for angiogenesis. The densities of new, mature, and total blood vessels were measured.
Results: :
2-DG significantly reduced the total density of new blood vessels (endoglin) in tumors by 44% compared to saline controls (P < 0.001), but did not affect the densities of both mature (α-sma) and total vasculature (lectin) when compared with controls (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: :
Treatment with 2-DG was shown to reduce the density of neovessels, demonstrating an antiangiogenic effect in vivo. As a result, 2-DG may represent a new strategy for angiogenesis inhibition in vivo, therefore, may have significant potential as alternative therapies for treating children withretinoblastoma.
Keywords: retinoblastoma • transgenics/knock-outs • blood supply