Suppression of acidic fibroblast growth factor-dependent angiogenesis by the antigrowth activity of 1,3,6-naphthalenetrisulfonate

Growth factor-induced angiogenesis was studied using subcutaneously implant ed gelatin sponges loaded with 10 mg ml(-1) of acidic fibroblast growth fac tor (aFGF) in 20 mu g ml(-1) PBS heparin. The administration of 1,3,6-napht halenetrisulfonate (NTS) directly into the sponge 120 mg ml(-1)) or intrape ritoneally (200 mg kg(-1)) blocks invasion of the sponge by vasculature. Si nce angiogenesis is essential for tumor progression, the findings of the pr esent study that NTS is an efficient inhibitor of neovascularization warran t further investigation of the potential clinical utility of this angiostat ic agent for treating tumor growth and metastasis.