Suramin prevents neovascularisation and tumour growth through blocking of basic fibroblast growth factor activity

Inhibition of angiogenesis through blocking of growth factors involved in this process could be a novel therapeutic approach in several important pathologies, neoplasia among them. Suramin has recently been described to possess antineoplastic activity in animals and humans, and it has been proposed that an important role in this activity is played by antagonism of growth factors and especially bFGF. To investigate this hypothesis in vivo, we used gelatin sponges loaded with bFGF and implanted subcutaneously in mice. Suramin showed an inhibitory activity on bFGF-induced angiogenesis, whereas it was inactive in the case of heparin-complexed bFGF. Suramin was also studied in an in vivo model of tumour-induced angiogenesis using the murine M5076 reticulosarcoma, a tumour producing significant levels of bFGF. Suramin was able to reduce tumour growth and tumour induced angiogenesis, and exogenous administration of bFGF countered suramin effects.