The In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Waves on Tumor Cells

Abstract

The in vitro cytotoxic effect of extracorporeal shock waves (ESW) on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells was compared to the effect on normal human embyronic 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 (SW) impulses. All four parameters of RCC tumor cell injury which were measured (cell viability, cell growth, cell attachment, and electron microscopic evidence of damage) directly correlated with increasing SW levels. At 2,000 SW a significant decrease in RCC cell viability, cell growth, and cell attachment was seen compared to NHEK cells. In the in vivo experiment, bladder tumor induced by the carcinogen Fanft was transplanted into the right hind legs of C3H/HE mice, and the tumors were exposed to 1,400 SW. Preliminary data showed that at Day 12 post-transplant, 1,400 SW significantly inhibited tumor growth. Combining 1,400 SW with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (4 mg/kg) did not enhance the tumor inhibitory effect. However, combining doxorubicin (5 mg/kg) and 1,400 SW produced a significant synergistic tumor inhibitory effect.