Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Destruction Enhances Inhibitory Effect of Apatinib on Angiogenesis in Triple Negative Breast Carcinoma Xenografts

Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) has been proven as an effective technique to assist drugs to cross the vascular wall and cell membrane. This study was aimed at evaluating the synergistic antiangiogenic and growth-inhibiting effects of apatinib (APA) and UTMD on the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The TNBC xenograft model was established in nude mice (n = 40) which were then randomly divided into the APA plus UTMD (APA-U) group, UTMD group, APA group, and model control (M) group (n = 10 per group). Corresponding treatment was done once daily for 14 consecutive days. The general condition and body weight of tumor-bearing nude mice were monitored. Routine blood test and detection of liver and kidney function were done after treatments. The tumor size and microcirculation were examined by two-dimensional ultrasonography (2DUS) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), respectively. Then, the tumor tissues were harvested for the detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by immunohistochemistry and for CD31-PAS double staining to assess microvessel density (MVD) and heterogeneous vascular positivity rate. After treatments, the tumor growth and angiogenesis were significantly inhibited in the APA group and the APA-U group, and these effects were more obvious in the APA-U group. The tumor volume, CEUS parameters, VEGF expression, and MVD in the APA-U group were significantly lower than those in the APA group (P < 0.05), while there were no marked differences in the heterogeneous vascular positivity rate, body weight, and blood parameters between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the UTMD group, the tumor growth and angiogenesis were not significantly inhibited, and all the parameters were similar to those in the M group (P > 0.05). During the experiment, all mice survived and generally had good condition. In conclusion, APA combined with UTMD may exert synergistic antiangiogenic and growth-inhibiting effects on the TNBC and not increase the heterogeneous vasculature and the severity of APA-related systemic side effects.