We have demonstrated the potential of using anti-angiogenic agents to modulate the microvascular response to light-based therapy and enhance persistent vascular shutdown of the targeted microvasculature. These preliminary results have generated a great deal of excitement for the possible use of this combined light-/drug-based protocol to enhance photodynamic therapy of cancer and laser therapy of vascular birthmarks.
Our model is the window chamber preparation. We currently study changes to the intrinsic microvasculature, and in the future expect to study angiogenic processes due to tumor cell implantation into the model.
The goals of this project are:
(1) map quantitatively the in vivo dynamics of blood flow, tissue oxygenation, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) activity to light-based injury
(2) initiate study of the effects of antiangiogenic agents on the overall in vivo dynamics.
Collaborators: Kristen Kelly, Stuart Nelson, UC Irvine
