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To be effective, cancer therapeutic molecules must leave the blood, travel through the tumor stroma microcirculation, and cross interstitial tissue to reach the tumor cells. Tumor stroma is filled with fibrous tissue that reduces perfusion and impedes movement of therapeutic molecules through the interstitium. An international team reasoned that lowering the volume of fibrous tissue might improve therapeutic effectiveness. Because angiotensin II stimulates fibrosis (in addition to its cardiovascular effects), therapy with an angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) might deplete fibrous tissue.
Mice that had implanted human ovarian cancer tissue received no treatment, losartan (an ARB) alone, paclitaxel (a chemotherapy drug) alone, or losartan plu…