Inhibition of angiogenesis by aurintricarboxylic acid.

The triphenylmethane derivative, aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA), but not aurin, is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane. ATA alone showed potent anti-angiogenic activity in a dose-related manner. The presence of heparin or bFGF decreased the anti-angiogenic activity of ATA. ATA also potentiated the anti-angiogenic activity of the angiostatic steroids, cortisol-21-phosphate, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, tetrahydrocortisol, tetrahydrocortexolone and medroxyprogesterone acetate. These results indicate that ATA is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis and potentiates the activity of the angiostatic steroids. These novel findings with this negatively charged, nonsulfated aromatic compound may be the basis for important new therapeutic approaches for the diseases of neovascularization.