Direct evidence that the VEGF-specific antibody bevacizumab has antivascular effects in human rectal cancer.

Journal Article (Clinical Trial;Journal Article)

The effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) blockade on the vascular biology of human tumors are not known. Here we show here that a single infusion of the VEGF-specific antibody bevacizumab decreases tumor perfusion, vascular volume, microvascular density, interstitial fluid pressure and the number of viable, circulating endothelial and progenitor cells, and increases the fraction of vessels with pericyte coverage in rectal carcinoma patients. These data indicate that VEGF blockade has a direct and rapid antivascular effect in human tumors.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Willett, CG; Boucher, Y; di Tomaso, E; Duda, DG; Munn, LL; Tong, RT; Chung, DC; Sahani, DV; Kalva, SP; Kozin, SV; Mino, M; Cohen, KS; Scadden, DT; Hartford, AC; Fischman, AJ; Clark, JW; Ryan, DP; Zhu, AX; Blaszkowsky, LS; Chen, HX; Shellito, PC; Lauwers, GY; Jain, RK

Published Date

  • February 2004

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 10 / 2

Start / End Page

  • 145 - 147

PubMed ID

  • 14745444

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC2693485

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1078-8956

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1038/nm988

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States