Effects of the vascular disrupting agent ASA404 on tumor growth of gastric cancer in an experimental model

Aims: A functional vascular system is essential for growth of solid malignancies including gastric cancer. For establishment and maintenance of such a vascular system endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes (e.g. vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMC) are required. We hypothesized that targeting tumor vasculature with the vascular disrupting agent (VDA) ASA404 reduces tumor growth in a model of gastric cancer. Methods: Gastric cancer (GC) cell lines, ECs and VSMCs were used for experiments. Effects of ASA404 on growth of GC, EC and VSMC were assessed by MTT assays. Impact of ASA404 (20mg/kg on day 1, 5, 9) in combina…