INTRAVESICAL CHEMOTHERAPY WITH GAMMA LINOLENIC ACID BECOMES A REALISTIC PROSPECT IN SERUM-FREE APPLICATIONS: IN VITRO CYTOTOXICITY AND SYSTEMIC ABSORPTION STUDIES

Abstract

Purpose To assess the cytotoxicity of Meglumine gamma linolenic acid (MeGLA) in serum-free application on 2 urothelial cancer cell lines, to examine whether the instant kill action of MeGLA is retained in a serum free environment, and to study the pharmacokinetics of intravesical instillation of gamma linolenic acid (GLA). Materials and Methods The 2 human urothelial cancer lines (MGH-U1 & RT112) were utilized in classical cytotoxicity assays in which drug exposure lasted 2 hours in serum or in serum-free application. The thiozolyl blue (MTT) assay was used to quantify the residual viable biomass 5 days later. Immediate cytotoxicity was also compared in serum and serum-free application. Four Wistar rats were used to study the intravesical absorption profile of tritiated GLA ( 3) H-GLA). Results There was a 10-fold enhancement of the lytic efficacy of MeGLA in serum-free application and this enhancement was also observed in experiments assessing instant kill. There was a similar enhancement of efficacy seen in the multi-drug resistant (MDR) clone of cells. The absorption profile showed <2% of instilled counts were absorbed and the commonest destination for the absorbed GLA was the liver. Conclusions The cytotoxic action of MeGLA was enhanced in serum free application. This enhancement was maintained when cells expressed the MDR phenotype. There was limited absorption from the bladder. MeGLA is a feasible intravesical agent for use in superficial bladder cancer.