title: Effect of lithium gamma-linolenate on the growth of experimental human pancreatic carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The lithium salt of gamma-linolenic acid (Li-GLA) is growth inhibitory to pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and is reported to prolong the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer. The effect of Li-GLA on the growth of human pancreatic carcinoma in vivo is not known. In this study the effect of parenterally administered Li-GLA on the growth of human pancreatic carcinoma in nude mice was tested.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pancreatic tumours were produced in nude mice by subcutaneous implantation of MIA PaCa-2 cells. This cell line is sensitive to Li-GLA in vitro. Mice were randomly treated with intraperitoneal, intravenous or intratumoral Li-GLA. Each group also had controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of Li-GLA had no significant effect on tumour growth or tumour phospholipid fatty acid composition. Intratumoral administration of Li-GLA was, however, associated with a significant antitumour effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this tumour model, the benefit seen with intravenous Li-GLA in patients with pancreatic carcinoma cannot be explained by tumour growth inhibition. Local administration appears to be more effective than intravenous or intraperitoneal therapy.
authors.affiliation: University Surgical Unit, Southampton General Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ravichandran
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018020:Lithium Compounds; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid