Therapeutic effects of antimicrobial peptide on malignant ascites in a mouse model

The primary objective of the treatment of malignant ascites in advanced stages is to alleviate symptoms using procedures such as diuresis, paracentesis of subretinal fluid and vena cava anastomosis. The effectiveness of systemic or intraperitoneal chemotherapy treatment is limited, and more efficacious therapies are required. The authors of the present study demonstrated that an antimicrobial peptide, cecropinXJ, isolated from the larvae of Bombyx mori, selectively inhibits the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. However, the effects of antibacterial peptides on gastric ascites tumor remains unclear. In the present study, the therapeutic effects of cecropinXJ were investigated in mice bearing malignant ascites. Compared with bovine serum albumin treatment, cecropinXJ and doxorubicin (Dox) significantly inhibited the formation and growth of malignant ascites, and prolonged the survival time of ascites tumor‑bearing mice. In addition, cecropinXJ treatment normalized the hematological and biochemical phenotypes, induced tumor cell apoptosis in ascites and improved the survival of mice bearing malignant ascites when compared with Dox treatment. These results suggested that cecropinXJ might be a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of gastric cancer‑associated ascites.