Objective: To assess the effect of endostatin on growth and neoplastic angiogenesis in transplanted human lung adenocarcinoma Calu-6 tumor in nude mice.
Methods: To treat Calu-6 tumor-bearing mice with endostatin at different doses, and to record the changes of the tumor size. The expressions of survivin, VEGF, COX-2 and MVD in tumor tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry staining, circulating endothelial cells (CECs) by flow cytometry and mRNA of CD146 and CD105 by RT-PCR and real-time PCR.
Results: After endostatin treatment, the tumor size was conspicuously shrunk, and the expressions of survivin, COX-2 and VEGF protein and MVD in tumor tissue decreased concomitantly with the significant difference between each of trial groups and control group (all P < 0.05). Both CECs and mRNA of CD146 and CD105 diminished remarkably. A positive correlation between both exhibition and change of amount of activated CECs and survivin, VEGF expression and MVD count in tumor tissue was found.
Conclusion: Endostatin can decrease the expression of survivin, COX-2, VEGF and MVD, and to inhibit the growth of transplanted tumor. Activated CECs may probably serve as an ideal marker to predict the efficacy and prognosis of anti-angiogenesis therapy.