Transarterial embolization with low concentration of n-butyl cyanoacrylate in VX2 hepatic tumor rabbit: an experimental study

Abstract

Objective To investigate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of transarterial embolization with low concentration of n-butyl cyanoacrylate(NBCA) in rabbit VX2 liver tumor models. MethodsTwenty-four rabbits were implanted with VX2 hepatic tumors into the left hepatic lobes, and were scanned with CT to measure the volume of the tumor after 14 days. They were randomly divided into three groups with 8 rabbits assigned to each group. Transarterial embolization was conducted with physiological saline in control group A, with pure Lipiodol in group B, with 2.5% NBCA in group C. Hepatic toxicity was evaluated by blood biochemical analysis of the plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). One week later, the volumes of the tumors were measured by CT again. Tumor growth rate was the ratio of tumor's volume at 7th day after embolization to the tumors' volume before embolization. The survival periods of the rabbits of the three groups after treatment were also recorded. The data of ALT and AST mean values from each group were analyzed with repeated measurement analysis of variance (ANOVA). Tumor growth rates and survival periods were analyzed by using one-way ANOVA. Results All animal models were successfully established and underwent interventional catheterization. Both ALT and AST mean values of the rabbits in group A, B and C at each time point before and after embolization were significantly different (ALT F=10.508, 16.443, 19.828, respectively; AST F=23.696, 23.334, 15.594, respectively)(P＜0.05). ALT in group A, B, C were (49.4±13.5), (115.2±48.8), (124.7±49.4)U/L, while AST in group A, B, C were (52.3±12.0), (128.3±50.1), (137.0±66.9)U/L 4 days after embolization. The ALT and AST mean values were significantly elevated 4 days after embolization in group B and group C compared with those before embolization and those of group A 4 days after treatment(P＜0.05). However, the ALT and AST mean values showed no statistically significant difference in all the groups before embolization and 7 days after embolization. On the other hand, the growth rates of the tumors differed significantly among the three groups(F=110.865, P=0.000). The group C showed significantly lower tumor growth rate (0.839±0.144)% than the group A(2.978±0.547)%(P=0.000), but no significantly different tumor growth rate compared with group B(0.871±0.0725)%( P=0.845). Consequently, the survival period of the animals in group C(38.9±4.0) days was significantly longer than that in group A(32.1±3.1)days (P=0.006), while it was not significantly different from that in group B(36.9±4.8)days(P=0.366). ConclusionsTransarterial embolization with low concentration of NBCA was feasible and safe. It could be a new option of treatment for HCC and might have potential further clinical value. Key words: Animal experimentation; Carcinoma, hepatocellular; Embolization, therapeutic