Combined therapy of temozolomide and ZD6474 (vandetanib) effectively reduces glioblastoma tumor volume through anti-angiogenic and anti-proliferative mechanisms

Hyeon Ho Kim
2012 Molecular Medicine Reports  
Currently, clinically available options for treating glioblastoma (GBM) are quite limited, and there is a clear need to develop novel treatment strategies that can more effectively manage tumors. Here, we present a combination treatment of temozolomide (TMZ), a blood-brain barrier penetrating DNA alkylating agent, and ZD6474 (vandetanib), a VEGFR2 and EGFR dual-targeting anti-angiogenic agent, as a novel treatment strategy for GBM. In a U-87MG orthotopic xenograft model, the combination
more » ... t provided a marked 94% tumor volume reduction. This reduction was greater than that achieved by monotherapy of either agent, and was correlated with a statistically significant reduction in microvessel density (CD31 + cells) and proliferation (PCNA + cells). These results confirm the necessity to target angiogenesis in addition to utilizing cytotoxic approaches, and provide the rationale for application of TMZ + ZD6474 combination therapy for treating GBM patients in the clinical setting.
doi:10.3892/mmr.2012.868 pmid:22505191 fatcat:i5qscya2njdezmqwkgzgxusq44