Direct delivery of a cytotoxic anticancer agent into the metastatic lymph node using nano/microbubbles and ultrasound

Takuma Sato1, Shiro Mori2, Maya Sakamoto3

  • 1Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Tohoku University, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan; Department of Urology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8575, Japan.

Plos One
|April 22, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Intralymphatic chemotherapy using nano/microbubbles and ultrasound enhances anticancer drug delivery to metastatic lymph nodes. This novel approach shows potential for improved treatment efficacy without damaging surrounding tissues.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Direct injection of anticancer agents into metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) is not a standard treatment due to insufficient evidence of efficacy.
  • Local drug administration into metastatic LNs requires improved delivery methods to enhance chemotherapeutic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the potential of intralymphatic drug delivery combined with nano/microbubbles (NMBs) and ultrasound to improve chemotherapy in metastatic lymph nodes.
  • To investigate the antitumor action of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP) in breast carcinoma cells and its efficacy in a mouse model of LN metastasis.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro delivery of CDDP into breast carcinoma cells to assess apoptotic processes.
  • Intralymphatic chemotherapy using NMBs and ultrasound in MXH10/Mo-lpr/lpr mice with lymphadenopathy to model LN metastasis.

Main Results:

  • CDDP delivery into breast carcinoma cells induced apoptotic processes, indicating antitumor action.
  • The combination of intralymphatic chemotherapy with NMBs and ultrasound improved CDDP delivery to target LNs.
  • This method demonstrated potential for improved drug delivery without damaging surrounding normal tissues.

Conclusions:

  • Intralymphatic drug delivery with NMBs and ultrasound enhances chemotherapeutic agent delivery to metastatic lymph nodes.
  • This approach shows promise for improving the efficacy of cancer treatment in the clinical setting.
  • The technique offers a potential benefit for patients with lymph node metastasis.

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