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Increase in tumor blood flow by pentoxifylline
C W Song1, C M Makepeace, R J Griffin
1University of Minnesota Medical School, Department of Therapeutic Radiology-Radiation Oncology, Minneapolis.
Summary
Pentoxifylline (PTX) significantly increased blood flow in rodent tumors, with no effect on normal tissues. This suggests PTX could enhance tumor radiosensitivity for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Biomedical Research
Background:
- Tumor blood flow is crucial for oxygen and nutrient delivery.
- Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a hemorheologic agent with potential anti-cancer properties.
- Understanding PTX's effect on tumor perfusion is key to optimizing cancer therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of pentoxifylline (PTX) on blood flow within experimental rodent tumors.
- To assess PTX's influence on blood perfusion in both tumor and normal tissues (skin, muscle).
Main Methods:
- Utilized the microsphere method with 85Sr-labeled microspheres to measure blood flow in R3230 AC adenocarcinoma in rats.
- Employed the 86Rb uptake method for leg tumors (SCK mammary carcinoma) in mice.
- Applied laser Doppler flow (LDF)metry for foot tumors (SCK mammary carcinoma) in mice.
Main Results:
- Pentoxifylline (50 mg/kg, IP) significantly increased blood flow in R3230 AC adenocarcinoma by 30 minutes post-injection; normal tissue perfusion remained unchanged.
- A slight increase in 86Rb uptake was observed in SCK tumors 30 minutes after 50 mg/kg PTX.
- In SCK foot tumors, LDF showed increased perfusion (1.5-2.0 times baseline) within 5-10 minutes of 25 mg/kg PTX administration, returning to baseline at 60 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Pentoxifylline enhances blood flow in experimental rodent tumors.
- Combined with previous findings of increased tumor pO2, PTX shows promise for improving tumor radiosensitivity.
- PTX may be a valuable adjunct therapy for enhancing the efficacy of radiation treatment in human tumors.