Experimental study of thalidomide for treatment of murine hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To study the therapeutic effect of thalidomide (Tha) on murine hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
In murine transplanted hepatoma model, thalidomide was administered intragastrically alone (200 mg/kg daily for 10 days) or in combination with doxorubicin. The antitumor activity of Tha was observed in solid and ascitic tumor models.


RESULTS
Tha induced significant growth inhibition of solid hepatoma without obvious toxicity on peripheral blood cells and lymphocyte proliferation. Although Tha alone had no effect on the survival of mice with ascitic tumor, it showed a synergistic antitumor activity in combination with doxorubicin (Dox) in both solid and ascitic tumor models. Moreover, Tha reduced Dox-induced cytopenia and immunosuppression. Histological analysis of Tha-treated tumors revealed remarkably enhanced tumor necrosis and lymphocyte infiltration on the edge of tumor tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
Tha has definite therapeutic effect on murine hepatoma, and the combination with Dox shows an enhanced therapeutic potential.
Yang
Yi-ming
YM
Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China. yangymch@sina.com
Du
Gang-jun
GJ
Lin
Hai-hong
HH
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D013792:Thalidomide; D004317:Doxorubicin