Effect of lithium gamma-linolenate on the growth of experimental human pancreatic carcinoma.
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.
Ravichandran
D
D
University Surgical Unit, Southampton General Hospital, UK.
Cooper
A
A
Johnson
C D
CD
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*
D018020:Lithium Compounds; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid