Effects of paclitaxel in combination with ionizing radiation on angiogenesis in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane. A radiobiological study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the combined effects of paclitaxel and single or fractionated doses of ionizing radiation on the angiogenesis process, using as a model the chick embryo choriallantoic membrane (CAM).


METHODS
Experiments were performed on 9-day CAM, when membranes were irradiated with various single or fractionated doses of X-rays, either alone or in combination with paclitaxel (6.4 micro g/disk).


RESULTS
Single doses of irradiation (5, 10, or 15 Gy) produced a significant antiangiogenic effect, which was not dose-dependent. Fractionated doses of X-rays (two doses of 2.5, 5, or 7.5 Gy, each 12 h apart) exerted a dose-dependent reduction of the vascular density index. Paclitaxel was not shown to provoke radiosensitization in this model, i. e., to inhibit angiogenesis of the 9-day CAM.


CONCLUSIONS
These data confirm that the CAM system can be conveniently and properly used for radiobiological studies and indicate that paclitaxel in combination with ionizing radiation does not inhibit further angiogenesis in the system used.
Department of Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Patras School of Medicine, Greece. kardim@med.upatras.gr
Dimitrios
D
Kardamakis
Christos
C
Hadjimichael
Panagiotis
P
Ginopoulos
Stamatis
S
Papaioannou
D000482:Allantois / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002823:Chorion / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011853:Radiobiology; D012106:Research; D013997:Time Factors
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel