Anti-tumour effects of transcatheter arterial embolisation administered in combination with thalidomide in a rabbit VX2 liver tumour model

Rapamycin Combi with TAE on the Growth, Metastasis, and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Rat Models

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

To investigate the effect of mTOR inhibitor Rapamycin combined with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) on the growth, metastasis, and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rat model.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

McARH7777 cells were used to construct rat models of HCC, which were randomly divided into Model, Rapamycin, TAE, and Rapamycin + TAE groups. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western Blot were used to detect the expression of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-related molecules, and immunohistochemical staining to determine the expression of EMTrelated proteins, angiogenic factors as well as microvessel density (MVD)-CD34.

RESULTS

The hepatic tumor volume of rats in the other three groups were all significantly smaller than the Model group on the 7th, 14th, and 21st day after treatment and the combination treatment was apparently more effective than either treatment alone. Besides, both the number and the size of metastatic nodules of HCC rats after combination treatment were remarkably reduced. In addition, compared with rats in the Rapamycin + TAE group, N-cadherin, Vimentin, HIF-1α, VEGF, and MVD-CD34 were obviously enhanced, while E-cadherin was lowered in those TAE group, which were the complete opposite to the Rapamycin group. Besides, the median survival time of rats in the Rapamycin + TAE group was evidently longer than the resting groups.

CONCLUSION

Rapamycin combined with TAE may effectively suppress the EMT formation and angiogenesis, thereby inhibiting the growth and lung metastasis of HCC rats, which provides a new idea for countering the recurrence and metastasis of HCC.

Therapeutic effects of transarterial infusion of lipiodol and ethanol in various ratios in a rabbit VX2 tumor model

PURPOSE

We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization with various volume ratios of lipiodol and ethanol in a rabbit VX2 tumor model to identify the optimal volume ratio.

METHODS

Eighteen adult male New Zealand white rabbits implanted with VX2 tumors in their left liver lobes were randomly divided into six groups based on volume ratios of lipiodol to ethanol: group A, 3:1; group B, 2:1; group C, 1:1; group D, 1:2; group E, 1:3; and group F, 1:4. Pre- and post-treatment unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect tumor formation and evaluate tumor growth rates. Liver samples were harvested one week after the procedure, and apoptosis index of tumor tissues was evaluated by pathologic examination and TUNEL assay.

RESULTS

Tumor size decreased in groups B, C, and D, but increased in groups A, E, and F. Tumor growth rates in groups A-F were 0.40±0.03, -0.11±0.21, -0.08±0.09, -0.12±0.07, 0.06±0.12, and 0.05±0.09, respectively. The change in tumor size was significantly different in group A compared with the rest of the groups, but no significant difference was observed among groups B-F. Apoptosis indexes of the six groups were 4.7±2.1%, 6.7±2.1%, 11.7±3.1%, 11.0±2.0%, 10.7±3.2%, and 12±3%, respectively. Apoptosis index was significantly lower in group A compared with groups C-F (P < 0.05). Apoptosis index of group B was significantly lower than groups C and F. There was no significant difference among the other groups.

CONCLUSION

The volume ratios of lipiodol to ethanol ranging from 2:1 to 1:4 were equally effective, the ratios 2:1 and 1:3 had equal safety, and the ratios 1:1 and 1:2 indicated better long-term therapeutic effect. Increasing ethanol in the mixture caused more severe liver injury. Optimal efficacy and safety was achieved with a lipiodol to ethanol volume ratio of 1:1.