OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of somatostatin analogue octreotide on angiogenesis induced by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in vivo.
METHODS: LCI-D20 corneal micropocket model in nude mouse was used to dynamically observe angiogenesis under a stereoscopic zoom microscope and a digital camera system and to evaluate the effect of octreotide on angiogenesis. Male nude mice were subcutaneously implanted with LCI-D20 tumor tissues for tumor xenograft studies. Microvessel density in CD34-stained tumor sections was analyzed by immunohistoche- mical SP method.
RESULTS: Tumor tissues from LCI-D20 implanted into the corneal micropocket induced angiogenesis. When animals received systemic octreotide treatment, angiogenesis response in the cornea of mice was moderate, the appearance of vascular buds was delayed, and the new capillaries were sparse and grew slowly. Compared with the control group, the neovascularization induced by HCC in the cornea of mice was markedly inhibited on day 7, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 after implantation in the octreotide-treated group (P<0.05). Systemic administration of octreotide produced a significant suppression of the growth of LCI-D20.Immunohistochemical studies of tumor tissues revealed decreased microvessel density in the octreotide-treated animals as compared with the controls (21.7±4.27 versus 31.8±3.87, P<0.01).
CONCLUSION: Somatostatin analogue octreotide is able to inhibit angiogenesis induced by HCC in vivo and may provide a new approach to the treatment of HCC.