bromodeoxycytidine and Brain-Neoplasms

Glomeruloid bodies (GBs), tumor-associated vascular structures with a superficial resemblance to renal glomeruli, are important histopathological features of glioblastoma multiforme, but have also been described in other types of tumors and in cerebral metastases. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the pathogenesis of these lesions in an appropriate murine model of experimental brain metastases. To do so, we injected cells from 5 different tumor lines into the internal carotid artery of mice and investigated the development, composition, and fate of GBs growing within tumor nodules. Immunohistochemical analyses and 3-dimensional reconstruction of the cerebral vasculature showed clearly that the proliferating and migrating tumor cells pull the capillaries (and the adjacent capillary branching points) into the tumor cell nest. Initially, this process lead to the appearance of simple coiled vascular structures, which later developed into chaotic and tortuous vascular aggregates with multiple narrowed afferent and efferent microvessels. Despite the absence of sprouting angiogenesis, the very low level of endothelial cell proliferation index and the ruptures of the stretched and narrowed capillary segments observed frequently between the metastatic tumor nodules, necrosis was scarce in these lesions, implying that the blood supply from the multiple afferent microvessels and from the preexistent vascular bed sufficed to provide the tumor cells with oxygen and nutrients.

Topics: Animals; Brain Neoplasms; Bromodeoxycytidine; Carcinoma, Lewis Lung; Cell Line; Cerebral Arteries; Disease Models, Animal; Glioblastoma; Immunohistochemistry; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, SCID; Microscopy, Electron; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasm Transplantation; Neoplasms, Experimental; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Time Factors

Infection of rat RT2 glioma cells in vitro with an adenovirus (ADV-TK) expressing herpes simplex virus (HSV) thymidine kinase (TK) and subsequent exposure to 5-bromo-2'-deoxycytidine (BrdC), which is specifically incorporated into ADV-TK-infected cell DNA as 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), results in significant radiosensitization (sensitizer enhancement ratio: 1.4-2.3) compared with Ad beta gal-infected cells. Cell killing correlated well with increased BrdU DNA incorporation and with apoptosis. Whereas radiation (4 Gy) alone was relatively ineffective in inducing apoptosis, treatment with HSV-TK/BrdC resulted in BrdC dose- (10-100 microM) and time-dependent (24-48 hours) increases, and the combination of the two treatments produced a synergistic response (1.5- to 2-fold). To investigate the effects of the ADV-TK/BrdC treatment in vivo, RT2 cells were grown as soft tissue tumors in Fischer 344 rats and conditions for virus infusion were optimized by altering the volume and rate of infusion using a rate-controlled positive pressure device. We found that relatively large volumes (100-150 microL) of virus delivered at rates of < or = 1 microL/minute were optimal and gave uniform and reproducible results. Using these optimal infusion conditions, we were able to achieve 40% adenovirus infection in the tumor. Infection of RT2 tumors with ADV-TK and continuous administration of BrdC from an osmotic pump resulted in significant (.001 < P < .009) tumor regression 6 days after radiation (30 Gy delivered as 2 x 5 Gy over 3 days) compared with controls. In situ staining of sectioned tumors with anti-BrdU antibody or by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of extracted and hydrolyzed tumor DNA confirmed that we obtained efficient and specific incorporation of BrdU into tumor cells. These results suggest that adenovirus-mediated delivery of HSV-TK in combination with BrdC and radiation can potentially be an efficient combination modality for the treatment of gliomas.

Topics: Adenoviridae; Animals; Apoptosis; Brain Neoplasms; Bromodeoxycytidine; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cytidine Deaminase; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Female; Genetic Vectors; Glioma; HeLa Cells; Humans; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Neoplasm Transplantation; Neoplasms, Experimental; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Simplexvirus; Thymidine Kinase; Time Factors; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Experimental investigations on the dimethyl-amino-stilbous carcino-sarcoma of the rat have led to a modified interstitial post-operative Curie-therapy of gliomas in the brain hemispheres following treatment with radio sensitizers. After treatment with the thymine-analogous radio-sensitizers 5-brom-2-desoxyuridine (BUDR) and 5-brom-2-desoxycytidine (BCDR) and desoxyguanosine as well as the anti-metabolites 5-fluor-uracile (FU) and methotrexate (Mtx), there is greater incorporation of the thymine analogues in the DNS of the tumour cells. More than any other combination, BUDR and Mtx effectively sensibilizes the tumour cells. Syncavit and actinomycine-D are also effective. After radio-sensitizing the post-iridium-192 contact irradiation apparatus on 133 patients with gliomas. This treatment lengthened postoperative survival times.

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Bromodeoxycytidine; Bromodeoxyuridine; Deoxycytidine; Glioblastoma; Humans; Iridium; Postoperative Period; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; Radioisotopes; Radiotherapy; Radiotherapy Dosage; Stereotaxic Techniques