Suppressive effect of bevacizumab on peritoneal dissemination from gastric cancer in a peritoneal metastasis model

• Published in: Surgery today (Tokyo, Japan) Japan), 2010-09, Vol.40 (9), p.851-857
• Main Authors: Imaizumi, Takuya, Aoyagi, Keishiro, Miyagi, Motoshi, Shirouzu, Kazuo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiogenesis Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal - administration & dosage; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Ascites - pathology; Bevacizumab; Cell Line, Tumor; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Mitotic Index; Neoplasm Transplantation; Original Article; Peritoneal Neoplasms - pathology; Peritoneal Neoplasms - prevention & control; Peritoneal Neoplasms - secondary; Stomach Neoplasms - pathology; Surgery; Surgical Oncology; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - immunology
• ISSN: 0941-1291; 1436-2813
• DOI: 10.1007/s00595-009-4154-y

Purpose Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been reported to enhance vascular permeability and angiogenesis in the abdominal wall, thereby contributing to peritoneal dissemination with malignant ascites. We conducted this experimental study to find out if bevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against VEGF, had a suppressive effect on peritoneal dissemination from gastric cancer, in an experimental nude mouse model of peritoneal metastasis. Methods Each mouse was treated with a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of bevacizumab. Five mice were killed, and we measured their body weight, the mean number of tumor nodules, and the volume of ascites. We also extracted retroperitoneal tissues for histological examination, to count the frequency of mitosis, and to calculate the mitotic index. Another five mice were monitored until death, and their mean survival duration was calculated. Results The volume of ascites and the mitotic index were significantly lower in the therapy group than in the nontherapy group ( P = 0.042 and P < 0.01, respectively). The survival curve of the therapy group was significantly higher than that of the nontherapy group ( P = 0.005). Conclusion Bevacizumab may suppress peritoneal dissemination from gastric cancer.