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Biopolymer-mediated suramin chemotherapy in the treatment of experimental brain tumours
Mattia Bellinzona1, Florian Roser, Cordula Matthies
1Centre for Experimental Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurosurgery, Nordstadt Hospital, Hannover, Germany. m@bellinzona-net.de
Abstract:
Suramin inhibits tumour growth and neoangiogenesis by blocking several growth factor receptors. In this study the toxicity and efficacy of intralesional delivery of suramin incorporated in a controlled-release polymer were assessed in a rat 9L tumour model. Initially, the toxicity of the compound was evaluated in adult Fisher 344 rats. The animals were intracerebrally implanted with an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. These experiments showed early toxicity in the rats implanted with a 50% load-polymer and 100% mortality within 48 h, whereas in rats implanted with a 33% load-polymer only transient behavioural changes were observed. In a second experiment the rats were stereotactically implanted with 9L cells in the frontal region. Two days after inoculation of cells, the animals were divided into two groups: one group received a 33% suramin load-biopolymer at the tumour implantation site, while the control group received polymer implants only. The interstitial release of suramin in the brain did not produce any improvement in survival of 9L tumour-bearing rats, with a mean survival of 14.2 +/- 1 days for the suramin-treated group versus 13.8 +/- 2 for the control group (p = 0.82). We conclude that intralesional polymer-mediated chemotherapy with suramin does not prolong survival in rats with intracerebral 9L tumours.
Insights
Intralesional polymer-mediated chemotherapy using suramin did not improve survival in a rat 9L brain tumor model. The controlled-release suramin formulation showed toxicity at higher concentrations, with no significant efficacy benefit observed.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Suramin is a drug that inhibits tumor growth and neoangiogenesis by blocking growth factor receptors.
- Controlled-release drug delivery systems offer potential for localized chemotherapy.
- The 9L rat brain tumor model is used to study intracerebral tumor growth and treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the toxicity and efficacy of intralesional suramin delivered via a controlled-release polymer in a rat 9L tumor model.
- To evaluate the safety profile of suramin-loaded ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer implants.
- To determine if localized suramin delivery improves survival in rats with intracerebral tumors.
Main Methods:
- Toxicity was assessed in Fisher 344 rats implanted with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer loaded with 50% or 33% suramin.
- Efficacy was evaluated in rats stereotactically implanted with 9L cells, followed by implantation of 33% suramin-loaded biopolymer or control polymer.
- Survival rates were compared between the suramin-treated group and the control group.
Main Results:
- High-dose suramin (50% load) in the polymer caused 100% mortality within 48 hours.
- Low-dose suramin (33% load) resulted in transient behavioral changes but no significant improvement in survival.
- Mean survival for the suramin-treated group was 14.2 ± 1 days versus 13.8 ± 2 days for the control group (p = 0.82).
Conclusions:
- Intralesional delivery of suramin using a controlled-release polymer is toxic at higher concentrations.
- This method of chemotherapy did not prolong survival in rats with intracerebral 9L tumors.
- Further research is needed to optimize suramin delivery or explore alternative treatment strategies for brain tumors.
