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Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis by roxithromycin, a 14-membered ring macrolide antibiotic

J Yatsunami1, N Tsuruta, N Hara

  • 1Research Institute for Disease of the Chest, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.

Cancer Letters
|December 16, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Roxithromycin, an antibiotic, effectively inhibits tumor angiogenesis by reducing capillary networks in mice. It impacts endothelial cell migration and tube formation without affecting cancer cell growth.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Research

Background:

  • Tumor angiogenesis is crucial for cancer growth and metastasis.
  • Macrolide antibiotics like roxithromycin have potential anti-cancer properties.
  • Understanding roxithromycin's effect on angiogenesis is key for developing new cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of roxithromycin.
  • To determine the dose-dependency of roxithromycin's inhibitory action on tumor angiogenesis.
  • To assess roxithromycin's impact on endothelial cell function and cancer cell-derived angiogenic factors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a mouse dorsal air sac model to study tumor angiogenesis.
  • Administered roxithromycin intraperitoneally at various doses.
  • Assessed effects on capillary network area, endothelial cell migration, and tube formation.
  • Measured levels of interleukin-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor.

Main Results:

  • Roxithromycin demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.
  • A dose of 100 mg/kg significantly reduced capillary network area by approximately 80%.
  • Roxithromycin ( > 20 microM) inhibited endothelial cell migration and tube formation but did not affect cancer cell growth or key angiogenic factor production.

Conclusions:

  • Roxithromycin exhibits significant anti-angiogenic properties.
  • The mechanism involves direct inhibition of endothelial cell migration and tube formation.
  • Roxithromycin shows potential as an anti-angiogenic agent in cancer therapy.

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