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  • Jani, Ashish; Shaikh, Fauzia; Barton, Sunjay; Willis, Callen; Banerjee, Debarshi; Mitchell, Jason; Hernandez, Sonia L; Hei, Tom; Kadenhe-Chiweshe, Angela; Yamashiro, Darrell J; Connolly, Eileen P

    International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics, 04/2016, Volume: 94, Issue: 5
    Journal Article

    To characterize the effects of high-dose radiation therapy (HDRT) on neuroblastoma tumor vasculature, including the endothelial cell (EC)-pericyte interaction as a potential target for combined treatment with antiangiogenic agents. The vascular effects of radiation therapy were examined in a xenograft model of high-risk neuroblastoma. In vivo 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (3D-CEUS) imaging and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed. HDRT significantly reduced tumor blood volume 6 hours after irradiation compared with the lower doses used in conventionally fractionated radiation. There was a 63% decrease in tumor blood volume after 12-Gy radiation compared with a 24% decrease after 2 Gy. Analysis of tumor vasculature by lectin angiography showed a significant loss of small vessel ends at 6 hours. IHC revealed a significant loss of ECs at 6 and 72 hours after HDRT, with an accompanying loss of immature and mature pericytes at 72 hours. HDRT affects tumor vasculature in a manner not observed at lower doses. The main observation was an early reduction in tumor perfusion resulting from a reduction of small vessel ends with a corresponding loss of endothelial cells and pericytes.