Inhibition of angiogenesis by blocking activation of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 leads to decreased growth of neurogenic sarcomas.

Neurogenic sarcomas are incurable, common malignant human peripheral nerve tumors subject to local recurrence and systemic metastasis. In this study, the vascularity, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, and effects of inhibiting VEGF receptor on growth of neurogenic sarcomas were examined. Vascularization and VEGF expression were 6.4- and 15-fold higher in tumors than in normal nerves. The small molecule inhibitor (SU5416) of VEGF receptor 2 had no effect on neurogenic sarcoma cell lines in vitro, but the growth of a human tumor explant xenograft model was reduced by 54.8% compared to vehicle. Reduction in tumor growth was due to decreased tumor angiogenesis, leading to reduction of tumor cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. Inhibiting VEGF function may therefore be a useful adjuvant therapy for neurogenic sarcomas.