In vivo antitumour effect of combretastatin A-4 phosphate added to fractionated irradiation.
BACKGROUND
The study aimed at evaluating the potential benefit from a combination of fractionated ionising radiation with the vascular-targeting compound combretastatin A-4 phosphate (CA-4-P).


METHODS
Syngenic rat rhabdomyosarcoma (R1), growing subcutaneously, was treated at 2 different sizes: either small (2 +/- 0.5 cm3) or large (10.94 +/- 0.6 cm3). Localised fractionated irradiation of the tumours (5 x 3 Gy) in 5 days was followed 1 day later by an intraperitoneal CA-4-P treatment (25 mglkg).


RESULTS
The combined treatment of only large tumours resulted in a small additional growth delay when compared with radiotherapy only.


CONCLUSIONS
The present data indicate a size-dependent increase in tumour growth delay from combining fractionated irradiation with CA-4-P.
Laboratory Experimental Radiobiology/LEO, Catholic University Leuven, UZ Gasthuisberg, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
B
B
Ahmed
W
W
Landuyt
A W
AW
Griffioen
A
A
Van Oosterom
W
W
Van den Bogaert
P
P
Lambin
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D013267:Stilbenes; C058728:fosbretabulin