Abstract
BackgroundIntra-arterial therapy with embolics is established for the treatment of malignancies of the liver. However, there are no studies comparing the different effects of various embolics used in clinical practice. Herein, we analyzed the effect of 3 different embolics on tumor growth in a rat model of colorectal liver metastases.MethodsEight days after subcapsular implantation of 5 × 105 colorectal cancer cells (CC531) in the left liver lobe of WAG/Rij rats were randomized into 4 groups (n = 8) and underwent intra-arterial hepatic therapy. Animals received either EmboCept S®, DC Bead® or Lipiodol® Ultra-Fluid. Animals of the control group received a comparable amount of saline. Tumor growth was measured on day 8 and 11 using a three-dimensional 40 MHz ultrasound device. On day 11 tumor and liver tissue were removed for histological and immunohistochemical analyses.ResultsOn day 11 animals of the control group showed a tumor growth of ~ 60% compared to day 8. Application of Lipiodol Ultra-Fluid® did not significantly influence tumor growth (~ 40%). In contrast, treatment with EmboCept S® or DC Bead® completely inhibited tumor growth. Of interest, application of EmboCept S® did not only completely inhibit tumor growth but even decreased tumor size. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a significant increase of necrotic areas within the tumors after application of EmboCept S® and DC Bead® compared to Lipiodol® Ultra-Fluid.ConclusionThe present study demonstrates that an intra-arterial therapy with EmboCept S® and DC Bead®, but not Lipiodol® Ultra-Fluid, results in a complete inhibition of rat colorectal liver metastatic growth.
Highlights
Intra-arterial therapy with embolics is established for the treatment of malignancies of the liver
Metastatic tumor growth and general health conditions After relaparotomy at day 8 all animals showed an established tumor in the left liver lobe with a diameter of 5
The major finding of the present study is that intraarterial application of Embocept S® and DC Bead® is effective in reducing tumor growth of colorectal liver metastasis
Summary
Intra-arterial therapy with embolics is established for the treatment of malignancies of the liver. There are no studies comparing the different effects of various embolics used in clinical practice. We analyzed the effect of 3 different embolics on tumor growth in a rat model of colorectal liver metastases. Methods: Eight days after subcapsular implantation of 5 × 105 colorectal cancer cells (CC531) in the left liver lobe of WAG/Rij rats were randomized into 4 groups (n = 8) and underwent intra-arterial hepatic therapy. The treatment of colorectal liver metastases is challenging, because only 15–20% of patients are eligible for resection [2]. Surgical resection is the only treatment modality that potentially provides cure. SCT has the potential to downsize the tumor volume so that surgical resection might become feasible
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