Experimental study on transarterial administration of GRGDSP combined with transarterial chemoembolization in rats with hepatic carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of transarterial administration of an integrin antagonist, GRGDSP (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro), combined with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) to treat hepatic carcinoma in rats.


METHODS
Walker-256 tumor was implanted beneath the liver capsule in 26 Wistar rats. Animal subjects were assigned to groups based on which treatment was injected into the hepatic artery: group A, GRGDSP + TACE; group B, TACE alone; and group C, normal saline. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), tumor pathology, and immunohistochemistry were performed to assess each treatment.


RESULTS
The ratios of the post-treatment to pretreatment tumor volumes (V2/V1) in groups A, B, and C were 4.42 +/- 0.48, 6.98 +/- 1.09, and 13.00 +/- 1.68, respectively. The metastatic potential of the tumors was assessed by tumor cell nest counts, which were 5.00 +/- 1.25, 6.63 +/- 1.60, and 7.22 +/- 1.92 in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Microvessel density (MVD) was quantified by measuring von Willebrand factor density values, which were 0.18 +/- 0.02, 0.22 +/- 0.02, and 0.23 +/- 0.02 in groups A, B, and C, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Transarterial infusion of GRGDSP combined with TACE noticeably inhibited the growth of hepatic carcinoma and intrahepatic metastases in rats.
Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Peoples Republic of China. qianjun_hcc@yahoo.com
Jun
J
Qian
Jun
J
Yin
Huimin
H
Liang
Yong
Y
Wang
Gansheng
G
Feng
D000818:Animals; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D009842:Oligopeptides; C058161:glycyl-arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-seryl-proline