title: A new algorithm for a better characterization and timing of the anti-VEGF vascular effect named "normalization".
abstract: Antiangiogenics are widely used in cancer treatment in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for their vascular effects. Antiangiogenics are supposed to induce morphological and functional changes in the chaotic tumor vasculature that would help enhance the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy through the amelioration of the drug delivery or the oxygenation in the tumor, respectively. However, finding the best treatment sequence is not an easy task to achieve and no consensus has yet been established because of the lack of knowledge regarding when and for how long the vascular network is ameliorated. The aim of this work was to develop a dedicated image processing algorithm able to analyze the vascular structures on optical microscopy images of the vascular network and to follow its fine modifications in vivo, over time. We applied this algorithm to follow the evolution of the vascular parameters (vascularized tissue surface, branches, sprouts and length), in response or not to anti-VEGF therapy (10 mg/kg/day) and determine precisely whether there is really a vascular "normalization" with anti-VEGF therapy in comparison with the parameters extracted from healthy vascular networks. We found that for this determination, the choice of region of interest to analyze is critical as it is important to compare only microcirculation areas and avoid areas with arteriole-venule-capillary hierarchy. The algorithm analysis allowed us to define a vascular "normalization" in treated tumors, between 8 and 12 days of bevacizumab treatment that was confirmed by standard immunohistochemical analysis, microvascular permeability assessment and immunohistological blood perfusion assessment.
authors.affiliation: CRAN, UMR 7039, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|CRAN, UMR 7039, CNRS, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Karima
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: El Alaoui-Lasmaili
authors.affiliation: CRAN, UMR 7039, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|CRAN, UMR 7039, CNRS, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: El-Hadi
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Djermoune
authors.affiliation: CRAN, UMR 7039, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|CRAN, UMR 7039, CNRS, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Tylcz
authors.affiliation: CRAN, UMR 7039, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|CRAN, UMR 7039, CNRS, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: CRAN, UMR 7039, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|CRAN, UMR 7039, CNRS, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|Laboratoire d'anatomopathologie, CHU Nancy-Brabois, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Plénat
authors.affiliation: CRAN, UMR 7039, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|CRAN, UMR 7039, CNRS, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.|Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Noémie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: CRAN, UMR 7039, Université de Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France. beatrice.faivre@univ-lorraine.fr.|CRAN, UMR 7039, CNRS, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France. beatrice.faivre@univ-lorraine.fr.|Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France. beatrice.faivre@univ-lorraine.fr.
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faivre
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000068258:Bevacizumab / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab
keywords: Algorithm quantification; Antiangiogenic therapy; Intravital imaging; Skinfold chamber; Vascular normalization