Single-bolus regional chemotherapy with doxorubicin versus chemoembolization in a rabbit VX2 tumor model

This study evaluates the anti-tumor effect of regional chemotherapy compared with chemoembolization in an animal model.

Twenty-one rabbits bearing VX2 liver tumors were divided into the following four groups: (a) the transarterial (TA) group (n=6) received a transarterial injection of doxorubicin through the hepatic artery (1 mg/kg); (b) the transarterial and transportal (TAP) group (n=6) received injections of doxorubicin through both the hepatic artery (1 mg/kg) and the portal vein (1 mg/kg); (c) the transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) group (n=6) received a transarterial injection of doxorubicin (1 mg/kg) followed by gelatin sponge embolization; and (d) the control group (n=3) received no treatment. With the use of computed tomography, tumor growth rates were calculated and microscopic examinations were performed to evaluate the extent of tumor necrosis.

Seven days after each treatment, the mean tumor growth rates were 216.7%±189.0% in the TA group, 77.1%±73.9% in the TAP group, and 489.5%±352.1% in the control group; there were no significant differences in tumor growth rates (P = 0.057). The tumor growth rate of the TACE group could not be evaluated due to extensive liver necrosis. The mean tumor necrosis rates were 41.9%±11.5% in the TA group, 51.4%±11.1% in the TAP group, 94.7%±3.5% in the TACE group, and 29.3%±6.7% in the control group; the TACE group showed significantly higher tumor necrosis than any other groups.

Single session regional chemotherapy has limited anti-tumor effects when compared with TACE in the rabbit VX2 tumor model.