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[Light and electron microscopic examination compared to evaluation by tumor size in subrenal capsule assay for
1Dept. of Surgery, Koshigaya Hospital, Dokkyo University School of Medicine.
Abstract:
Specimens from six clinical cases of esophageal cancer were transplanted under the renal capsule of AF nude mice, and chemosensitivity to anticancer drugs (UFT, CDDP) was evaluated by measuring tumor size (SRC). Histological analysis of the xenografts by light (LM) and electron microscopy (EM) was also performed to confirm the precision of this original method used for SRC. Two-dimensional morphometry by EM was also performed in four cases. With the exception of one case, the same results were obtained by graft measurement analysis and light microscopic observation, which allowed easy evaluation by observing cancer pearl formation, prominent proliferation of tumor cells or total cell keratinization. However, there was no false-positive sensitivity in the former method. EM observation did not reveal any special findings with regard to chemotherapy response, but increased numbers of cytoplasmic vacuoles and desmosomes, cytoplasmic swelling, a reduction of the N/C ratio and nuclear deformity implied common changes to cell necrosis induced by the anticancer drugs. For clinical use of SRC against esophageal cancer, it is supposed to be best to compare LM histological evaluation, which is too complicated and time consuming. For this reason, it is potentially useful to perform SRC by evaluating tumor size, because another goal of chemosensitivity testing involves determination of anticancer drugs without effectiveness.
Insights
This study evaluated anticancer drug effectiveness in esophageal cancer using a novel method. Measuring tumor size in mouse xenografts accurately predicted drug response, offering a simpler alternative to complex histological analysis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Experimental Medicine
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Esophageal cancer treatment requires effective chemosensitivity testing.
- Current histological evaluation methods for chemosensitivity are complex and time-consuming.
- A more efficient method is needed for clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the precision of a novel tumor size measurement (SRC) method for assessing chemosensitivity in esophageal cancer xenografts.
- To compare the efficacy of SRC with traditional light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM) analyses.
- To determine the utility of SRC for identifying ineffective anticancer drugs.
Main Methods:
- Esophageal cancer specimens from six patients were xenografted into AF nude mice.
- Chemosensitivity to UFT and CDDP was assessed by measuring xenograft tumor size (SRC).
- Histological analysis using LM and EM, including 2D morphometry, was performed for comparison.
Main Results:
- Tumor size measurement (SRC) showed high concordance with LM observations, accurately reflecting drug response.
- LM analysis identified characteristic changes like cancer pearl formation and cell keratinization.
- EM revealed cellular necrosis markers, but SRC and LM were more practical for clinical evaluation.
Conclusions:
- Tumor size measurement (SRC) is a precise and potentially simpler method for evaluating esophageal cancer chemosensitivity compared to LM.
- SRC can effectively identify anticancer drugs lacking effectiveness, aiding clinical decision-making.
- This method offers a valuable alternative for routine clinical chemosensitivity testing.