Sonodynamic therapy inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model

Studies of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) have mainly focused on its direct cytotoxic effect on tumor cells. Its effects on the tumor microenvironment, especially angiogenesis, remain unknown. In this study, we found that SDT significantly inhibited endothelial cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation. Furthermore, in a tumor xenograft mouse model, SDT was found to remarkably suppress tumor growth, intratumoral vascularity, and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor cells. An ultrastructural study showed damage and disruption of tumor microvasculature after STD. Our results indicate that SDT inhibits neovascularization in tumor, which is partially responsible for the anti-tumor effect of SDT.

► Effects of Sonodynamic Therapy (SDT) on tumor microenvironment, especially angiogenesis, have been studied.
► Both in vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out. SDT induced significant cell apoptosis through the generation of ROS.
► We found that SDT significantly inhibited endothelial cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation.
► We confirmed that SDT inhibits neovascularization, which is partially responsible for the anti-tumor effect of SDT.