Vascular endothelial growth factor-A(165) induces progression of melanoma brain metastases without induction of sprouting angiogenesis.

Küsters, Benno; Leenders, William P J; Wesseling, Pieter; Smits, Debby; Verrijp, Kiek; Ruiter, Dirk J; Peters, Johannes P W; van Der Kogel, Albert J et al. · Cancer Res · 2002

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We investigated the mechanisms of vascularization in a brain metastases model of malignant melanoma. Parenchymal metastases expressing little vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) co-opted the preexistent brain vasculature, leading to an infiltrative phenotype. Metastases of the human melanoma cell line Mel57, engineered to express recombinant VEGF-A(165), showed accelerated growth in a combined expansive and infiltrative pattern with marked central necrosis. This difference in growth profile was accompanied by dilation of co-opted intra- and peritumoral vessels with concomitant induction of vascular permeability. Our data show that modulation of preexistent vasculature can contribute to malignant progression without induction of sprouting angiogenesis.

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