Transnodal cancer chemotherapy for metastatic lymph nodes in rats

The antitumor effects of transnodal cancer chemotherapy were studied using rat models. After inoculation of AH-66 tumor cells into the iliac lymph nodes (target lymph node), emulsionized bleomycin (BLM emulsion) or BLM water solution was injected into an intact popliteal lymph node and chronological changes in BLM levels in the target lymph node were measured. In the target lymph node of the iliac lymph node, the level of BLM emulsion continuously was greater than 2 micrograms/g for 9 hours after the injection, while the level of BLM water solution decreased rapidly. The antitumor effects were quantitatively estimated in the tumor of the target lymph node. The ratio of necrotic area in the BLM-emulsion-treated group was significantly greater than that in the emulsion- or saline-treated groups. Survival rate in rats treated with BLM emulsion was significantly higher than that in control groups and was slightly higher than that in the group given BLM water solution iv. The concentration of BLM in the serum and lung in case of transnodal administration of BLM was much lower than that in rats given an iv administration of BLM water solution. These findings suggest that transnodal administration of BLM emulsion is an effective and safe treatment for metastatic lymph nodes, at least in rats.