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.
Qian
Jun
J
Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Peoples Republic of China. qianjun_hcc@yahoo.com
Yin
Jun
J
Liang
Huimin
H
Wang
Yong
Y
Feng
Gansheng
G
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