The development of a novel intraperitoneal tumor-seeding prophylactic.
BACKGROUND
Peritoneal tumor dissemination and implantation is a complication of both open and laparoscopic oncologic surgery. This study evaluates the efficacy of paclitaxel-loaded poly(L-lactic acid) microspheres as prophylaxis against intraabdominal tumor seeding.


METHODS
2 x 10(6) 9L glioblastoma cells were introduced into the abdominal cavity of Wistar rats. Fifteen minutes later, the peritoneal cavity was washed with the experimental solutions, and 2 weeks later the presence of tumor implantation was determined. After defining the optimum dose of paclitaxel PLA microspheres in a dose-ranging study, the microsphere formulation was then compared with conventional paclitaxel in four experimental groups (n = 5) as follows: 100 mg of 30% paclitaxel-loaded microspheres; 100 mg PLA microspheres; paclitaxel 4.1 mg; and controls receiving no intraabdominal therapy.


RESULTS
Although carcinomatosis developed in all control animals, none in the paclitaxel-loaded microsphere group had biopsy proven cancer. The conventional paclitaxel group (3) showed significant toxicity; only 1 animal survived and had positive histology.


CONCLUSIONS
In this animal model of peritoneal carcinomatosis, the paclitaxel-loaded microsphere formulation was more effective than conventional paclitaxel in preventing tumor seeding.
Demetrick
J S
JS
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Liggins
R T
RT
Machan
L
L
Davis
N L
NL
Burt
H M
HM
Hunter
W L
WL
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008863:Microspheres; D009366:Neoplasm Seeding; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel