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Published on: April 22, 2019
Apatinib Combined With Radiotherapy Enhances Antitumor Effects in an In Vivo Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Model
Shanshan Liu1, Fei Wu2, Yanling Zhang3
1Department of General Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
Abstract:
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR) are highly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma; therefore, blocking the binding of VEGF and VEGFR may be a potential way to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Apatinib inhibits tumor angiogenesis. Previous studies have suggested that treatment with apatinib has an antitumor effect on nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This study will investigate the effect of apatinib combined with radiotherapy. In this study, nude mice injected with CNE-2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells were randomly divided into 6 groups. Therapeutic effects were assessed by evaluating tumor inhibition rate, phosphorylation of VEGFR-2, CD31, partial oxygen pressure, and tumor metabolism. We found that the tumor inhibition of mice in the treated groups was better compared to that of the control group. In mice treated with apatinib alone, angiogenesis was prevented, and the tumor tissue partial oxygen pressure was reduced, thereby achieving an antitumor effect. Moreover, the tumor inhibitory effect of combined treatment was stronger than treatment with either apatinib or radiotherapy alone. Compared with monotherapy treatment, combined treatment better resisted angiogenesis. Apatinib combined with radiotherapy to treat nasopharyngeal carcinoma has synergistic effects, which may be related to enhanced antiangiogenesis.
Insights
Apatinib combined with radiotherapy shows synergistic effects against nasopharyngeal carcinoma by enhancing anti-angiogenesis. This combination therapy offers a more potent antitumor effect than monotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGFR) are crucial in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) progression.
- Targeting VEGF/VEGFR signaling, particularly with apatinib, shows promise for NPC treatment by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the synergistic antitumor effects of apatinib combined with radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
- To evaluate the impact of this combination therapy on angiogenesis, tumor metabolism, and overall tumor growth.
Main Methods:
- Nude mice xenograft model using CNE-2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.
- Randomized study design with 6 treatment groups, including control, apatinib monotherapy, radiotherapy monotherapy, and combination therapy.
- Assessment of therapeutic efficacy via tumor inhibition rate, VEGFR-2 phosphorylation, CD31 expression, partial oxygen pressure, and tumor metabolism.
Main Results:
- Combined apatinib and radiotherapy demonstrated superior tumor inhibition compared to monotherapy or control groups.
- Apatinib monotherapy reduced angiogenesis and partial oxygen pressure, contributing to antitumor effects.
- Combination therapy exhibited enhanced anti-angiogenic effects compared to single-agent treatments.
Conclusions:
- Apatinib combined with radiotherapy exerts synergistic antitumor effects in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
- The enhanced anti-angiogenesis is a key mechanism underlying the synergistic efficacy of the combination therapy.
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