In vivo inhibition of human hepatocellular carcinoma related angiogenesis by vinblastine and rapamycin.

This paper illustrates the use of the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay to determine the single and combined antiangiogenic effects of very low doses of vinblastine (VBL) and rapamycin (RAP) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The angiogenic response induced by human HCC biopsy specimens was inhibited by each drug and sinergistically by their combination. Morever, immunohistochemical detection of microvessels with anti-CD31 mAB showed that their area was significantly lower in specimens treated with VBL and RAP in combination. Sinergy on the part of these well-known drugs when used in combination as antiangiogenics at very low doses may be of significance in the designing of new ways of treating HCC.