Power Doppler ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound have been pivotal in assessing the vascular response to anti-vascular therapy in canine cancer patients. The study aimed to evaluate the tumour perfusion following treatment with Combretastatin A4-phosphate (CA4P), an anti-vascular agent known for its efficacy in shutting down blood supply to tumours. The research enrolled eight dogs with spontaneous tumours and treated them with a single dose of intravenous CA4P.
The perfusion of tumours was monitored using power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) before, during, and after CA4P infusion, while contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) evaluated central and peripheral perfusion pre-treatment and post-treatment. The study revealed a significant decrease in vascularity index (VI) within 10 minutes of CA4P infusion using PDUS. CEUS parameters also showed a significant decrease in blood velocity and volume in the central aspect of the tumour post-treatment.
Histological analysis confirmed a reduction in microvessel density (MVD) and an increase in necrotic tumour tissue post-CA4P treatment. The correlation between PDUS results and immunohistochemical MVD evaluations was strong. CEUS findings further supported the efficacy of PDUS in monitoring tumour vascular response. The study highlighted the potential of ultrasound as a non-invasive tool for real-time monitoring of tumour vascular response to anti-vascular therapy, offering insights into early treatment efficacy.
Tumour vasculature plays a crucial role in the growth and spread of tumours, making it a promising target for anti-cancer therapies. CA4P, as a vascular disrupting agent, has shown promising results in preclinical trials. While immunohistochemical evaluation of MVD remains the gold standard for assessing anti-vascular therapy, non-invasive imaging techniques like PDUS and CEUS offer a valuable alternative for serial assessment of tumour perfusion. These modalities provide real-time insights into treatment response, potentially revolutionizing the monitoring of anti-vascular therapies in clinical settings.
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