Suppression of primary tumor growth in a mouse model of human neuroblastoma

Background/Purpose: Neuroblastoma is the most common tumor of the abdomen i n children. Consistently effective treatments are lacking for aggressive di sease. The authors previously reported that therapy with anti-vascular endo thelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies suppresses both growth and metastas is in an experimental model of Wilms' tumor. The authors hypothesized that, in a parallel model of neuroblastoma, anti-VEGF treatment would inhibit (1 ) growth and (2) metastasis. Methods: Primary tumors were established in the kidneys of nude mice, In co hort 1 (n = 42), mice were killed at 3 time-points, and tissues were evalua ted histologically. Tumors were assayed for VEGF. In cohort 2 (n = 28), ant i-VEGF antibody or vehicle was administered. Tumor weights and the incidenc e of metastases in the 2 groups were compared. VEGF deposition was evaluate d by immunohistochemistry. Results: Mice displayed large tumors with liver and lung metastases. VEGF l evels in tumors increased over time. Antibody-treated animals displayed sig nificantly smaller tumors, but incidence and size of metastases were unaffe cted. VEGF was localized to tumor stroma immunohistochemically, with no dif ference in pattern observed in control and antibody-treated tumors. Conclusions: Anti-VEGF antibodies inhibit primary tumor growth in experimen tal neuroblastoma, but not metastasis. This may contrast with the effect of the same antibody in a parallel model of Wilms' tumor. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.