Abstract 2371: Comparison of repeated minor liver resection and major resection on lung metastasis growth in mice

Abstract

Abstract Liver resection has traditionally been the first choice treatment for patients presenting with primary and metastatic liver tumor. Many of the factors up-regulated during liver regeneration after a liver resection have been implicated in tumor growth and the extent of the up-regulation of these factors correlate with the degree of liver resection. However, the effects of a major liver resection compared to repeated minor resections on the growth of malignant tumor are unknown. This study examines the effects of liver regeneration on the growth of the lung metastatic tumors in an established mouse model, after major (70%) and repeated minor (35%+35%) liver resection. Experimental lung metastases were established by tail vein injection with the Colon 26 murine adenocarcinoma cell line expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). Three days after cancer cell injection, groups of mice underwent liver resection (35%+35% vs. 70%). Lung tumor growth was measured by fluorescence imaging with the Olympus OV100 Small Animal Imaging System. Although, major and repeated minor resection removed the same volume of liver parenchyma, the two procedures had very different effects on lung metastases growth: Major resection stimulated lung metastatic growth. In contrast to major resection, repeated minor resection significantly inhibited the growth of metastatic lung tumors. There was no significant difference in liver regeneration between the two groups. These results show that repeated minor resection of liver is much safer regarding tumor stimulation than major resection. The results of this study indicate that when liver resection is necessary, repeated minor liver resection is superior to major liver resection, since repeated minor resection inhibits lung metastasis and major resection stimulates lung metastasis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2371. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2371