Effects of sorafenib and liposome doxorubicin on human poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma xenografts in nude mice

Abstract

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of sorafenib and liposome doxorubicin on poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) xenografts in nude mice. Sorafenib and liposome doxorubicin were applied to PDTC xenografts in nude mice. The mice were randomized into seven groups: blank control (A), vehicle control (B), single liposome doxorubicin (C), single sorafenib group (D), liposome doxorubicin combined with low dose sorafenib group (E), combined group with medium dosage of sorafenib (F), combined group with high-dose of sorafenib(G). The volume, weight and growth inhibition rate of tumours were measured to evaluate the therapeutic effects of drugs. Sorafenib and liposome doxorubicin showed significant antitumor activity in the PDTC xenografts. The mean tumor volumes of seven groups were (1274.13 ± 393.76) mm(3), (1060.00 ± 469.05) mm(3), (726.76 ± 488.22) mm(3), (451.54 ± 97.75) mm(3), (518.37 ± 164.44) mm(3), (310.51 ± 210.53) mm(3), and (228.44 ± 129.21) mm(3), respectively. The mean tumor weights of the seven groups were (1.13 ± 0.42)g, (0.91 ± 0.39)g, (0.78 ± 0.45)g, (0.55 ± 0.17) g, (0.52 ± 0.19) g, (0.34 ± 0.21) g, and (0.19 ± 0.09) g separately. The tumor inhibition rates of group C to G were 30.8%, 40.8%, 42.3%, 62.9%, 72.6% separately. Sorafenib and liposome doxorubicin, no matter for single agent or in combination, showed significant antitumor activity in the PDTC PDTC xenografts in vivo. The tumour-inhibited effect of single sorafenib is better than that of single liposome doxorubicin. Liposome doxorubicin combined with medium dosage of sorafenib had a better therapeutic effect and less side effects.