Oncology: Angiogenesis

Local growth and metastasis of a large variety of malignant tumors are dependent on angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from an existing vascular network. The Matrigel plug assay has become the method of choice for in vivo testing for angiogenesis. Matrigel containing angiogenic factor basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) (0.8- 1.2 µg/ml) or vascular endothelial growth factor (vEGF) (0.4-0.8 µg/ml) implanted in the animal is used to stimulate angiogenesis. Reduced growth factor Matrigel matrix is used as control. Assessment of angiogenic reactions in the Matrigel plug is achieved either by determination of hemoglobin content or by examination of histological preparations, stained to enhance the visibility of blood vessels and to permit the determination of vascular density in selected sections.

Data from this assay are presented in Excel format.