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Published on: November 2, 2013
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Mast cell tumor destruction by deionized water
R L Grier1, G Di Guardo, C B Schaffer
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames 50011.
American Journal of Veterinary Research
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Deionized water effectively kills mast cell tumor cells in vitro and reduces recurrence in vivo. This study shows potential for deionized water as an adjunct cancer therapy, improving survival rates in pets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Veterinary Medicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Malignant murine P815 mastocytoma cells undergo lysis when exposed to hypotonic solutions.
- Deionized water causes cell death through swelling, degranulation, and membrane rupture.
- Hypotonic shock significantly affects P815 mastocytoma and YAC-1 lymphoma cells, but not Cloudman S91 melanoma cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of deionized water as an adjunct treatment for mast cell tumors (MCTs) in cats and dogs.
- To assess the impact of deionized water injection on local MCT recurrence and survival rates.
- To investigate the selective cytotoxicity of hypotonic solutions on different cancer cell lines.
Main Methods:
- In vitro exposure of malignant murine cell lines to distilled and deionized water.
- Surgical excision of MCTs in cats and dogs, with or without local deionized water infiltration.
- Evaluation of local recurrence rates and survival percentages in treated animals.
Main Results:
- In vitro studies showed 90% cell death in P815 mastocytoma cells after 2 minutes in deionized water.
- In cats, no local recurrence was observed in 16 incompletely excised MCTs treated with deionized water injection.
- In dogs with clinical stage-I MCTs, deionized water injection after incomplete excision significantly reduced local recurrence from 50% to 6.6%.
Conclusions:
- Deionized water demonstrates selective cytotoxicity against mastocytoma cells in vitro.
- Local deionized water infiltration as an adjunct to surgery significantly reduces MCT recurrence in dogs.
- This approach shows promise for improving outcomes in canine and feline MCT treatment.

