Effect of Thalidomide on the Angiogenesis and In vivo Growth of Hepatoma Cells in the Mouse

Kim, Jin Wook; Lee, Hyo Suk; Yoon, Jung Hwan; Kim, Chung Yong

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Thalidomide shows an antiangiogenic effect after metabolic activation in the rabbit, but the antiangiogenic effect in the mouse has not been established. This study was aimed to know if thalidomide shows in vitro antiangiogenic effect by mouse microsomes, and if thalidomide inhibits the growth of hepatoma cells (MH134) in the mouse. METHODS: Rat aortic endothelial cells were cultured with thalidomide and/or mouse microsomes to investigate whether the formation of new microvessels is inhibited. In vitro effect of thalidomide on the growth of MH134 cells was assessed by MTT assay. The growth of subcutaneous MH134 tumors and the formation of new vessels were evaluated in C3H/He mice after oral administration of thalidomide.
RESULTS
Thalidomide inhibited in vitro microvessel formation in the presence of mouse microsomes, whereas thalidomide or microsomes alone did not. Thalidomide did not affect in vitro growth of MH134 cells, but suppressed significantly in vivo growth of subcutaneous MH134 tumors in C3H/He mice. The mean number of tumor-feeding vessels tended to be fewer in the thalidomide-treated group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
Thalidomide becomes antiangiogenic in the presence of mouse microsomes, and can retard in vivo growth of mouse hepatoma cells.