Recombinant human erythropoietin increases the radiosensitivity of xenografted human tumours in anaemic nude mice.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo) on the radiosensitivity of human tumour xenografts growing in anaemic nude mice was studied.


METHODS
Anaemia was induced by total body irradiation (TBI) of mice prior to tumour transplantation. The development of anaemia was prevented by Epo (1000 U/kg s.c.) given 3 times weekly starting 2 weeks prior to TBI (5 Gy). Epo treatment did not influence the growth rate of the tumours, which were transplanted into the subcutis of the hind leg of mice. Thirteen days after TBI (tumour volume of approx. 40 mm3), a single-dose irradiation (12 Gy) of the tumour was performed resulting in a growth delay with subsequent regrowth of the tumours.


RESULTS
In Epo-treated animals the tumour growth delay was significantly longer compared to anaemic mice. However, the radiosensitivity of tumours in non-anaemic animals' (non-Epo-treated) tumours could not fully be restored.


CONCLUSIONS
These data give evidence for restored radiosensitivity after correction of anaemia with Epo.
Stüben
G
G
West German Tumour Centre, Department of Radiotherapy, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany. georg.stueben@uni-essen.de
Thews
O
O
Pöttgen
C
C
Knühmann
K
K
Vaupel
P
P
Stuschke
M
M
D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000528:radiation effects; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D023041:Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin