BASIC FIBROBLASTIC GROWTH-FACTOR AS A POTENTIAL MENINGEAL ANGIOGENIC FACTOR

Vascular supply plays a significant role in the management of skull ba se tumors. The diagnosis is aided by contrast-enhanced imaging and ang iographic techniques, and embolization procedures are used to devascul arize certain lesions. The degree of surgical technical difficulty is strongly influenced by the degree of tumor vascularity. Although the i mportance of this blood supply is clearly understood, the mechanism in volved in developing a system of tumor-perfusing vessels is vet to be defined. The development of a vascular network, or angiogenesis, is an important event in allowing tumor proliferation to progress beyond sm all clusters of cells. Basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) is an e specially attractive candidate as an angiogenic growth factor because of its ability to stimulate processes that are characteristic of angio genesis in vitro. Tumors that involve the meninges may have the abilit y to liberate normally stored bFGF which may, in turn, induce new vess el formation for continued tumor proliferation. An immunohistochemical analysis of rodent and bovine meninges to study this phenomenon is de scribed. The dura, arachnoid, and their associated vessels are shown c learly to contain this growth factor. Ultimately, an adjuvant therapy based on the inhibition of angiogenesis may provide a reasonable alter native to aggressive surgical approaches in skull base tumors that are incompletely resectable.