The in vitro and in vivo effects of extracorporeal shock waves on malignant cells

The in vitro cytotoxic effect of extracorporeal shock waves (ESW) on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells was compared to the effect on normal human embryonic kidney (NHEK) cells. In the in vitro studies cell samples were brought into the second focal point and exposed to different numbers of shock wave impulses. The four parameters of RCC tumor cell injury which were measured, i.e., cell viability, cell growth, cell attachment and electron microscopic evidence of damage, were augmented with increasing SW levels. At 2,000 shock waves (SW) a significant decrease in RCC viability, cell growth and cell attachment was seen compared to the NHEK cells. In the in vivo experiment a FANFT induced bladder tumor was transplanted into the right hind legs of C3H/He mice and the tumors were exposed to 1,400 SW. Preliminary data showed that 1,400 SW at day 12 post transplant significantly inhibited tumor growth. Combining 1,400 SW with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (4 mg/kg) did not enhance the tumor inhibitory effect of each individually. Doxorubicin (5 mg/kg) and 1,400 SW produced a significant synergistic tumor inhibitory effect.