[Experimental studies on adriamycin alginate-chitosan microcapsules in the treatment of rabbit VX2 carcinoma in the extremity].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of chemoembolization with adriamycin alginate-chitosan microcapsules in the treatment of VX2 carcinoma in the extremity of the rabbit.


METHODS
Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits transplanted with VX2 carcinoma cells into the muscle tissue of the lower right thigh were divided into four groups namely groups A, B, C and D, and received regional infusion from femoral artery. Each group consisted of six rabbits: a group given natural saline (Group A), a group given adriamycin (Group B), a group given blank alginate-chitosan microcapsules (Group C) and a group given adriamycin alginate-chitosan microcapsules (Group D). Three days after treatment, all groups were examined by histology and immunohistochemical detection (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling technique, TUNEL; proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA).


RESULTS
The blood vessels of the tumor were almost embolized by the microcapsules. Extensive necrosis, high level of positive cells in TUNEL (60.85% +/- 5.21%) and low level in PCNA detection with in the tumors were observed in Group D.


CONCLUSIONS
Adriamycin alginate-chitosan microcapsules can potentially play roles in two respects, 1 to serve as embolizing agents, and 2 to serve as drug delivery vehicles for local release. Chemoembolization with microparticals is an effective treatment of malignant osseous and soft tissue sarcomas in an experimental model.
Tang
Xiao-dong
XD
Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100044, China.
Guo
Wei
W
Guo
Yi
Y
Li
Sha
S
Hou
Xinpu
X
D000464:Alginates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic; D002686:Chitin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D048271:Chitosan; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D011817:Rabbits
D000464:Alginates; D002214:Capsules; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D002686:Chitin; D004317:Doxorubicin; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D048271:Chitosan