Combretastatin-A4 disrupts neovascular development in non-neoplastic tissue

Combretastatin-A4, phosphate (cis-CA-4) is a tubulin-binding agent currentl y undergoing clinical trials as an anti-tumour drug. We have investigated w hether CA-4 functions as a tumour-specific anti-vascular agent using the hy perplastic thyroid as a novel in vivo model of neovascularization. CA-4 eli cited pathological changes in normal tissue, manifested as the induction of multiple, discrete intravascular thrombi. These vascular-damaging effects indicate that CA-4P does not function as a tumour-specific agent but target s neovasculature irrespective of the primary angiogenic stimulus. (C) 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com.