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Lymphatic chemotherapy induces apoptosis in lymph node metastases in a rabbit breast carcinoma model
1Department of Vascular and Endocrine Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.
Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the potential of lymphatic chemotherapy in inducing apoptosis in axillary lymph node metastases in a rabbit breast cancer model. A total of 30 female New Zealand rabbits with mammary implantation of VX2 carcinomas were divided into three groups randomly, with ten in each. Treatment was carried out once axillary lymph node reached 5 mm in the maximum diameter. Group A received a subcutaneous injection of liposomal adriamycin (LADR) adjacent to the breast tumor. Group B received free adriamycin (FADR) administered into the auricular vein. Group C received a sham treatment. The dose of adriamycin in each administration was 1 mg/kg in groups A and B. Treatment was repeated every 48 h. Axillary lymph nodes were dissected out 48 h after the third treatment. The nodal sizes before and after the treatment were measured. The therapeutic effect was evaluated in terms of the node volume ratio and apoptotic index (AI) of metastatic cells in nodes identified with TUNEL technique. The significance of difference was determined with one-way ANOVA followed by the Fischer LSD test. Compared to group C, the enlargement of lymph nodes was sufficiently slowed down in both groups A and B, and group A showed a further strong inhibitory effect than group B (P = 0.002). Apparent VX2 cell apoptosis was detected in the lymph nodes of groups A and B. The average AI in group B (15.31%) was significantly higher than in group C (5.16%). The highest AI was found in animals of group A (21.73%), with a further significant difference from group B (P = 0.000). These data suggest that lymphatic chemotherapy appears to be a promising method to induce apoptosis in lymph node metastases
Insights
Lymphatic chemotherapy, using liposomal adriamycin, effectively induced apoptosis in rabbit breast cancer lymph node metastases. This targeted approach showed superior results compared to conventional intravenous delivery.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Lymph node metastasis is a critical factor in breast cancer progression and patient prognosis.
- Conventional chemotherapy often has systemic side effects and limited efficacy against localized metastases.
- Targeted drug delivery strategies are needed to improve treatment outcomes for lymph node metastases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of lymphatic chemotherapy in inducing apoptosis in axillary lymph node metastases.
- To compare the effectiveness of liposomal adriamycin delivered via lymphatic chemotherapy versus conventional intravenous administration.
- To assess the impact of lymphatic chemotherapy on lymph node enlargement in a rabbit breast cancer model.
Main Methods:
- A rabbit breast cancer model (VX2 carcinoma) was used with 30 New Zealand rabbits divided into three groups.
- Group A received liposomal adriamycin (LADR) via subcutaneous injection near the tumor; Group B received free adriamycin (FADR) intravenously; Group C received sham treatment.
- Treatment involved adriamycin at 1 mg/kg every 48 hours, with efficacy measured by lymph node volume ratio and apoptotic index (AI) using TUNEL assay.
Main Results:
- Both lymphatic (Group A) and intravenous (Group B) adriamycin slowed lymph node enlargement compared to the control (Group C).
- Lymphatic chemotherapy (Group A) demonstrated a significantly stronger inhibitory effect on lymph node enlargement than intravenous chemotherapy (Group B) (P = 0.002).
- Apoptotic index was significantly higher in both Group A (21.73%) and Group B (15.31%) compared to Group C (5.16%), with Group A showing the highest AI (P = 0.000).
Conclusions:
- Lymphatic chemotherapy is a promising method for inducing apoptosis in lymph node metastases.
- Targeted delivery of liposomal adriamycin via lymphatic chemotherapy offers superior efficacy in reducing lymph node metastasis compared to intravenous administration.
- This approach warrants further investigation for clinical application in breast cancer treatment.
