Treatment of VX2 carcinoma implanted in the liver with arterial and intraperitoneal administration of oily anticancer agents

Abstract.

Purpose: Long-term survival and cure cannot be achieved in patients with unresectable, advanced abdominal cancer, because no chemotherapeutic treatment has definite antitumor activity for malignant solid tumor and its dissemination. In this study, arterial and intraperitoneal administration of oily anticancer agents, which have properties that permit targeted chemotherapy for VX2 carcinoma implanted in the liver, was attempted to achieve long-term survival. Materials and methods: Rabbits bearing VX2 tumors in the liver measuring 1–2 cm in diameter received an arterial injection of 0.2 ml of nitrogen mustard N-Oxide (HN₂-O) dissolved in Lipiodol (7.5 mg/ml), a newly developed oily anticancer agent, for the tumor and an intraperitoneal injection of a cocktail of oily anticancer agents for the prevention of intraperitoneal dissemination. Results: Twelve out of thirteen rabbits survived and VX2 cancer was not observed in these 12 rabbits. The controls received a sham operation, an intraperitoneal injection of the cocktail of oily anticancer agents alone, or an arterial injection of HN₂-O/Lipiodol alone. In these control groups, 27 out of 29 rabbits died of cancer. To examine the dose form for arterial injection, 14 rabbits received an arterial injection of the simple mixture of HN₂-O dissolved in physiological saline and Lipiodol, with an additional intraperitoneal injection of the cocktail. Eight of these 14 rabbits died of enlargement of the hepatic tumor and peritoneal dissemination. Conclusion: Long-term survival and cure was achieved in almost all rabbits bearing VX2 tumor in the liver by simultaneous arterial and intraperitoneal injection of oily anticancer agents.