An orthotopic mouse model of remetastasis of human colon cancer liver metastasis.

Whether liver metastases from colon cancer are capable of metastasizing to other sites is an important question in surgical oncology. To answer this question, we have developed a highly metastatic orthotopic transplant model of a liver metastasis from a human colon cancer patient in nude mice that targets the liver and lymph nodes. The metastatic human tumor was transplanted in athymic nude mice by surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI) of a liver metastasis from a colon cancer patient. The human colon tumor was then subsequently implanted in the colon by SOI or, in an additional series of nude mice, in the liver by surgical hepatic implantation (SHI). The mice were then explored over time for lymph node involvement beginning 10 days after implantation. After SOI, 100% of the animals had liver metastasis within 10 days, and subsequently, 19 days after SOI, all lymph nodes draining the liver were involved with metastasis without any retroperitoneal or lung tissue involvement. After SHI, all sites of lymphatic drainage of the liver, including portal, celiac, and mediastinal lymph nodes, were massively involved by metastasis in 100% of the animals as early as 10 days after tumor implantation on the liver. The results of this study demonstrate that liver metastases from colon cancer are capable of remetastasizing to other sites. This study thus suggests that in colon cancer patients with liver metastasis, mediastinal, celiac, and portal lymph node metastases originate from the liver metastasis and not, as previously thought, from primary colon cancer.     

A superficial colon tumor model involving subcutaneous colon translocation and orthotopic transplantation of green fluorescent protein-expressing human colon tumor

The orthotopic transplantation model of human tumor has been demonstrated to be more patient-like animal tumor model. However, observations of tumor progression and metastasis are limited by the deep location of the colon or limited deep penetration ability of fluorescence through tissue. The purpose of this study is to establish a superficial orthotopic model to allow easier real-time visualization and more sensitive monitoring of fluorescent orthotopic colon tumor. Human colon cancer HT-29 cells were transduced with a pLPCX expression retroviral vector containing green fluorescent protein and neomycin resistance genes. For superficial orthotopic transplantation model, the cecum was identified and pulled out of the peritoneal cavity, the space between the cecum and peritoneum was sutured, the cecum was pulled to subcutaneous tissue, and incision was made on the cecal serosa followed by the implantation of a 1-mm tumor tissue to the cecum. For comparison, a conventional orthotopic transplantation model was established in a separate group of mice simultaneously. When tumor sizes reached 5 mm in diameter, half the mice in each model received 5-FU treatment. Primary tumor and metastases were monitored by fluorescent imaging or caliber measurement. Tumor fluorescence was observed as early as 3 days (median time of 4.7 ± 1.3 days) post-transplantation in the superficial orthotopic transplantation model, which was much earlier than 21 days (median time of 26.2 ± 9.9 days) in conventional orthotopic transplantation model. Although tumor growth of 5-FU-treated mice in conventional orthotopic model was lower than those of the untreated mice, the difference was not significant. However, in superficial orthotopic model, tumor growth was significantly inhibited in 5-FU-treated mice relative to the untreated mice. Fluorescence imaging showed similar metastasis incidence between the superficial and conventional orthotopic transplantation models. The fluorescent superficial orthotopic transplantation colon model allows easier real-time visualization and more sensitive monitoring of tumor growth as well as convenient repeated sampling. It is a valuable orthotopic implantation model for study of colon cancer and evaluation of new anti-cancer therapy.     

Modulation of Doxorubicin sensitivity and level of p-glycoprotein expression in human colon-carcinoma cells by ectopic and orthotopic environments in nude-mice

The purpose of the study was to determine whether the organ environment can influence the response of colon cancer cells to chemotherapy. The highly metastatic human colon cancer cell line KM12L4, previously selected for production of liver metastases in nude mice, was injected into the cecal wall and into the spleen to produce liver metastases, and into the subcutis of nude mice. Doxorubicin (DOX) at 10 mg/kg or saline (control) was injected intravenously on days 7 and 16 after tumor cell injection. The in vivo response of tumors growing in the cecum, liver, and subcutaneous (s.c.) sites as well as the DOX sensitivity of cell lines established from liver and s.c. tumors were compared. Colon cancers growing s.c. were more sensitive to DOX than tumors growing in the cecal wall or liver of nude mice. The difference in response to DOX between s.c. tumors (sensitive) and liver tumors (resistant) was not due to selection of cell populations with different sensitivity to DOX, or differences in DOX distribution. PKC activity was lower in tumors of the liver and the cecum than in s.c. tumors. The expression of P-glycoprotein as determined by flow cytometric analysis of tumor cells harvested from lesions in different organs correlated inversely with their sensitivity to DOX. Increased levels of P-glycoprotein correlated with mdr-1, mdr-3 mRNA expression as determined by Northern analysis. Collectively, the data show that the organ environment influences the response of human colon carcinoma cells to DOX and recommend that animal models of this disease for experimental therapeutic studies employ orthotopic implantation of tumor cells.     

Endostatin对结肠癌生长和转移抑制作用的实验研究

背景与目的:结肠癌的生长、转移是血管生成依赖性的,血管生成抑制剂有望通过抑制肿瘤血管生成,诱导结肠癌细胞凋亡,有效地抑制结直肠癌的生长和转移。肿瘤的抗血管生成治疗对选择手术时机和方式、制定综合治疗方案,提高结肠癌患者5年生存率都具有重要意义。本实验研究血管生成抑制因子Endostatin对结肠癌生长和转移的抑制作用,并探讨其对结肠癌细胞凋亡的影响。方法:采用人结肠腺癌细胞株SW1116完整组织块裸鼠原位种植,建立类似于临床的结肠癌转移裸鼠模型。种植后第1周开始皮下注射Endostatin,每天一次,剂量为0mg/kg(对照组)、5mg/kg、10mg/kg、20mg/kg(治疗组),共用6周。种植后第7周处死动物,测量原位肿瘤瘤重、抑瘤率、肿瘤微血管密度(intratumoralmicrovesseldensity,MVD)、肿瘤细胞凋亡指数(apoptoticindex,AI),观察肿瘤细胞腹膜、肝、其他脏器转移及腹水情况。结果:Endostatin剂量为0mg/kg、5mg/kg、10mg/kg、20mg/kg时,原位肿瘤瘤重分别为(1.31±0.36)g、(0.42±0.17)g、(0.21±0.09)g、(0.13±0.05)g;抑瘤率分别为0%、67.9%、84.0%、90.1%;MVD分别为(12.8±4.1)、(5.9±2.5)、(2.2±1.4)、(0.74±O.3);AI分别为(3.87±2.61)%、(6.89±5.18)%、(13.24±4.76)%、(20.97±9.04)%;腹膜转移率分别为9     

Influence of implantation site on growth, antigen expression and metastatic potential of human colonic cancer HT29 and 5583 xenografts in nude mice

In order to study the interaction between tumors and host environmental factors, we xenografted cells from the human colonic carcinoma cell lines HT29 and 5583-S in the subcutis, cecum, spleen and liver of nude mice and compared growth characteristics, metastatic potential and some phenotypic features of the xenografts in these sites. No remarkable differences were observed between the tumors at different inoculation sites in regard of their expression of carcinoembryonic antigen and secretory component or type of mucin produced. Also the proportion of DNA synthesizing cells as determined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation appeared to be comparable in the studied implantation sites. Local invasive growth characteristics and metastatic potential, however, showed marked differences. Subcutaneous and cecal xenografts frequently showed tumor cell invasion into the surrounding tissue, vasoinvasive growth and discontinuous basement membrane deposition, whereas splenic and hepatic implants demonstrated more encapsulation, no invasion of blood vessels and more continuous basement membrane deposition. Subcutaneous xenografts produced no metastasis. With HT29 cells liver and lymph node metastases occurred frequently from the splenic as well as the cecal xenografts. 5583 cells regularly produced liver metastases from the splenic xenografts, whereas no metastasis from cecal xenografts were observed. We conclude that although the patterns of invasive growth and the metastatic potential differ for various implantation sites, antigen expression and cell kinetic features of tumor implants are hardly influenced by the site of inoculation.     

Adenoviral B7-H3 therapy induces tumor specific immune responses and reduces secondary metastasis in a murine model of colon cancer

Current cancer gene therapies aim at the induction of systemic antitumor immune responses. Tumors may deliver antigens to T-cells, but may lack the costimulatory signals necessary for mounting an effective response. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an adenoviral delivery of the B7-H3 costimulatory molecule in mice to induce antitumor immune responses. Colon cancers were established by orthotopic injection of syngeneic colon cancer cells into the cecum on Balb/c mice. After two weeks, these mice were treated by intratumoral injection of an adenovirus expressing mouse B7-H3 (Ad-B7-H3-GFP) or a control virus (Ad-GFP). Ad-B7-H3-GFP treatment resulted in a reduction of tumor size compared to the controls. In addition, the occurrence of secondary metastasis was significantly reduced in B7-H3 treated mice compared to control animals (lymph node 7/10 vs. 10/10; liver 2/10 vs. 8/10, p相似文献   

A fluorescent orthotopic bone metastasis model of human prostate cancer

Here, we report a fluorescent spontaneous bone metastatic model of human prostate cancer developed by surgical orthotopic implantation of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing prostate cancer tissue. Human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were transduced with the pLEIN expression retroviral vector containing the enhanced GFP and neomycin resistance genes. Stable GFP high-expression PC-3 clones were selected in vitro with G418, which were then combined and injected s.c. in nude mice. For metastasis studies, fragments of a single highly fluorescent s.c. growing tumor were implanted by surgical orthotopic implantation in the prostate of a series of nude mice. Subsequent micrometastases and metastases were visualized by GFP fluorescence throughout the skeleton, including the skull, rib, pelvis, femur, and tibia The central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, was also involved with tumor, as visualized by GFP fluorescence. Systemic organs, including the lung, plural membrane, liver, kidney, and adrenal gland, also had fluorescent metastases. The metastasis pattern in this model reflects the bone and other metastatic sites of human prostate cancer. Thus, this model should be very useful for the study and development of treatment for metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer.     

Mesenchymal stem cells enhance growth and metastasis of colon cancer

Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were reported to migrate to tumor stroma as well as injured tissue. We examined the role of human MSCs in tumor stroma using an orthotopic nude mice model of KM12SM colon cancer. In in vivo experiments, systemically injected MSCs migrated to the stroma of orthotopic colon tumors and metastatic liver tumors. Orthotopic transplantation of KM12SM cells mixed with MSCs resulted in greater tumor weight than did transplantation of KM12SM cells alone. The survival rate was significantly lower in the mixed‐cell group, and liver metastasis was seen only in this group. Moreover, tumors resulting from transplantation of mixed cells had a significantly higher proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index, significantly greater microvessel area and significantly lower apoptotic index. Splenic injection of KM12SM cells mixed with MSCs, in comparison to splenic injection of KM12SM cells alone, resulted in a significantly greater number of liver metastases. MSCs incorporated into the stroma of primary and metastatic tumors expressed α‐smooth muscle actin and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐β as carcinoma‐associated fibroblast (CAF) markers. In in vitro experiments, KM12SM cells recruited MSCs, and MSCs stimulated migration and invasion of tumor cells through the release of soluble factors. Collectively, MSCs migrate and differentiate into CAFs in tumor stroma, and they promote growth and metastasis of colon cancer by enhancing angiogenesis, migration and invasion and by inhibiting apoptosis of tumor cells.     

经小动物内窥镜行肠黏膜下注射肿瘤细胞建立原位结直肠癌模型的技术探讨

目的:探讨使用活体小动物内窥镜进行原位注射人源性结肠癌细胞系建立原位结直肠癌模型的技术方法。方法:6~8周龄BALB/c雌性裸鼠20只,异氟醚气体持续麻醉,通过小动物结肠镜的引导,使用30G注射针将人结肠癌HCT-116细胞注射到裸鼠肠黏膜下,在肿瘤细胞注射3、7、10、15天进行小鼠内窥镜检查,观察裸鼠结直肠的成瘤情况。结果:利用小动物内窥镜行黏膜注射肿瘤细胞建立结直肠癌模型的技术成功率达100%。在注射肿瘤细胞时未出现穿孔,在小鼠内窥镜第7天随访时有1例裸鼠在肠镜通过肿瘤时出现肠壁穿孔。本研究中,没有出现因内窥镜注射导致的裸鼠死亡,所有19例存活裸鼠在第15天随访时均形成原位结直肠肿瘤,使用该方法建立裸鼠原位结直肠癌的建模成功率为95%。结论:通过小鼠内窥镜引导行肠黏膜下注射肿瘤细胞建立结直肠癌原位模型是一项快速而且有效的建模技术,该模型可更好地用于药物检测、基因功能评估和肿瘤转移。     

Liver metastasis of colon 26 cells implanted into the superior mesenteric vein in mice

The intraportal implantation of mouse transplantable colon adenocarcinoma 26 was investigated as an experimental liver metastasis model of colorectal cancer. CDF1 male mice (5 weeks old) were laparotomized under pentobarbital sodium anesthesia, and colon 26 tumor cells (1 X 10, 1 X 10(3), or 1 X 10(5) cells) were inoculated into the superior mesenteric vein. On day 21 after inoculation, mice inoculated with 1 X 10(3) tumor cells showed five to 12 colonies of liver metastasis (mean, 9.2 colonies; n = 6). The survival time was 27 to 36 days (median, 27 days; n = 5) in these mice. When mitomycin C (MMC) was administered into the superior mesenteric vein 15 min after the inoculation of tumor cells, the number of metastatic foci in the liver was strongly inhibited; 81.1% and 100% inhibitions were observed in the groups given 4 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg of MMC, respectively. The mouse colon 26 model seems to be one of the more useful experimental models for evaluating treatments for the prevention of liver metastases from colorectal cancer.     

In vivo color-coded imaging of the interaction of colon cancer cells and splenocytes in the formation of liver metastases

The role of host cells in tumor progression and metastasis is critical. Intrasplenic injection of tumor cells has long been known as an effective method of developing liver metastases in nude mice, whereas portal vein (PV) injection of tumor cells can result in rapid death of the tumor cells. Host cells were thought to play a role in these phenomena. We report here that after splenic injection of tumor cells, splenocytes cotraffic with the tumor cells to the liver and facilitate metastatic colony formation. Human colon cancer cells that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked to histone H2B in the nucleus and red fluorescent protein (RFP) in the cytoplasm (HCT-116-GFP-RFP) were injected in either the PV or spleen of nude mice and imaged at the subcellular level in vivo. Extensive clasmocytosis (destruction of the cytoplasm) of the cancer cells occurred within 6 hours after PV injection and essentially all the cancer cells died. In contrast, splenic injection of these tumor cells resulted in the aggressive formation of liver and distant metastasis. GFP spleen cells were found in the liver metastases that resulted from intrasplenic injection of the tumor cells in transgenic nude mice ubiquitously expressing GFP. When GFP spleen cells and the RFP cancer cells were coinjected in the PV, liver metastasis resulted that contained GFP spleen cells. These results suggest a novel tumor-host interaction that enables efficient formation of liver metastasis via intrasplenic injection.     

Preferential inhibition of bone metastases by 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine and capecitabine in the 4T1/luc mouse breast cancer model

5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) and capecitabine are oral anti-cancer agents, which are enzymatically converted to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by thymidine phosphorylase in humans and uridine phosphorylase in mice. Since the activity of these phosphorylases is higher in cancerous tissue than in normal tissue, systemic administration of 5'-DFUR and capecitabine achieves high intratumoral 5-FU levels and low adverse effects on non-tumoral tissue. Accordingly, 5'-DFUR and capecitabine are widely used for the treatment of cancer patients. In the present study, we examined the effects of 5'-DFUR and capecitabine on bone metastases, one of the most common complications of breast cancer, using an animal model in which inoculation of 4T1/luc mouse breast cancer cells into the mammary fat pads of female BALB/c mice developed spontaneous metastases in distant organs including bone, lung and liver. Mice received 4T1/luc cell inoculation in the mammary fat pad at day 0 and oral 5'-DFUR (31, 62, 123 or 246 mg/kg) or capecitabine (90, 180 or 359 mg/kg) daily from day 7 to day 21. Both 5'-DFUR and capecitabine significantly inhibited orthotopic tumor formation and distant metastases to bone, lung and liver in a dose-dependent manner. Of note, the lowest dose of 5'-DFUR (31 mg/kg) and capecitabine (90 mg/kg), which failed to inhibit orthotopic tumor development and the lung and liver metastases, significantly reduced the bone metastases. In conclusion, our results suggest that oral 5'-DFUR and capecitabine are effective for the treatment of primary and secondary breast tumors. Most notably, they also suggest that these agents are preferentially beneficial for bone metastases.     

In vivo selection of highly metastatic cells from surgical specimens of different primary human colon carcinomas implanted into nude mice

The purpose of these studies was to select and isolate cells with increased liver-metastasizing potential from heterogeneous primary human colon carcinomas (HCCs). Cells derived from a primary HCC classified as Dukes' stage B2 were directly established in culture or were injected into the subcutis, cecum, or spleen of nude mice. Progressively growing tumors were excised, dissociated, and established in culture. Subsequent to implantation into the cecum or spleen of nude mice, cells from all four lines produced only a few liver tumor foci. HCC cells from the few liver metastases were expanded in culture and then injected into the spleen of nude mice to provide a source for further cycles of selection. With each successive in vivo selection cycle, the metastatic ability of the isolated propagated cells increased. Four cycles of selection yielded cell lines with a very high metastatic efficiency in nude mice. In parallel studies using another primary HCC classified as Dukes' stage D, we isolated cell lines that were highly metastatic in nude mice. Successive selection cycles for growth in the liver increased the metastatic properties of the HCC cells, albeit to a lesser extent than it did those of the Dukes' B2 stage HCC. The ability of the HCC cells to produce liver metastases was not due to simple trapping in the liver. In vivo distribution studies using [125I] iododeoxyuridine-labeled tumor cells revealed that, shortly after injection into the spleen, a comparable number of cells with either low or high metastatic properties arrested in the liver. The differences between the low- and high-degree metastatic cells became apparent by 24 h after injection and, by 72 h, only highly metastatic cells survived in the liver. These results demonstrate that hepatic metastasis by HCC cells is a selective process and that the nude mouse model can be useful for isolating highly metastatic HCC cells and for studying the relevant host organ factors that regulate the pathogenesis of metastasis.     

A suitable model for experimental liver metastasis of human colon cancer xenografts using mice with severe combined immunodeficiency

Studies on liver metastasis of human colon cancer are limited because of a lack of suitable animal models. In this study, the usefulness of mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), which congenitally lack functional T and B lymphocytes, was evaluated in comparison with currently available nude mice. Three human colon cancer xenografts transplantable into nude mice were disaggregated enzymatically to obtain tumor cell suspensions, and implanted intrasplenically into SCID and nude mice. The incidence of splenic tumorigenesis and of liver metastases were significantly greater in SCID mice for all xenografts, in comparison with nude mice. In total, 33 of 36 SCID mice and 17 of 43 nude mice developed liver metastases. On the basis of this result, we conclude that SCID mice would be a more suitable model than nude mice for studying liver metastasis of human colon cancer. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Prevention of Hepatic and Peritoneal Metastases by the Angiogenesis Inhibitor FR-118487 after Removal of Growing Tumor in Mice

We established a mouse "primary tumor resection model" in which a transplanted tumor was resected after an orthotopic transplantation of colorectal cancer tissue to estimate the therapeutic effect of an angiogenesis inhibitor on metastasis. The angiogenesis inhibitor FR-118487 is a member of the fumagUlin family. Here, 1 mg/kg/day of FR-118487 was subcutaneously administered to nude mice for 1 week, 2 weeks, or 4 weeks through an osmotic pump. Liver metastasis developed in 7 of 9 control mice, 2 of 6 mice that underwent the tumor resection 2 weeks after transplantation (early resection), and in all 7 of the mice that underwent the tumor resection 4 weeks after transplantation (late resection). In the short treatment trial, the FR-118487 administration immediately after the early resection completely inhibited both hepatic and peritoneal metastases, whereas its administration after the late resection had no effect on liver metastasis. In the prolonged treatment trial, inhibitory effects of prolonged treatment with FR-118487 on both hepatic and peritoneal metastases after the late resection were clearly demonstrated. The mice of the resection-alone group all died within 106 days after tumor inoculation, due to metastases of colon carcinoma. In contrast, half of the mice that underwent resection and then received antiangiogenic therapy were alive at the end of the observation period (160 days after transplantation). In conclusion, the combination of surgery and subsequent antiangiogenic therapy may be useful to prevent the distant metastasis of colorectal cancer and to improve the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer.     

Prevention of hepatic and peritoneal metastases by the angiogenesis inhibitor fr-118487 after removal of growing tumor in mice.

We established a mouse rising dbl quote, left (low)primary tumor resection model" in which a transplanted tumor was resected after an orthotopic transplantation of colorectal cancer tissue to estimate the therapeutic effect of an angiogenesis inhibitor on metastasis. The angiogenesis inhibitor FR-118487 is a member of the fumagillin family. Here, 1 mg / kg / day of FR-118487 was subcutaneously administered to nude mice for 1 week, 2 weeks, or 4 weeks through an osmotic pump. Liver metastasis developed in 7 of 9 control mice, 2 of 6 mice that underwent the tumor resection 2 weeks after transplantation (early resection), and in all 7 of the mice that underwent the tumor resection 4 weeks after transplantation (late resection). In the short treatment trial, the FR-118487 administration immediately after the early resection completely inhibited both hepatic and peritoneal metastases, whereas its administration after the late resection had no effect on liver metastasis. In the prolonged treatment trial, inhibitory effects of prolonged treatment with FR-118487 on both hepatic and peritoneal metastases after the late resection were clearly demonstrated. The mice of the resection-alone group all died within 106 days after tumor inoculation, due to metastases of colon carcinoma. In contrast, half of the mice that underwent resection and then received antiangiogenic therapy were alive at the end of the observation period (160 days after transplantation). In conclusion, the combination of surgery and subsequent antiangiogenic therapy may be useful to prevent the distant metastasis of colorectal cancer and to improve the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer.     

The site of injection of tumor cells in rats does not influence the subsequent distribution of metastases

Our goal was to examine the influence of circulatory anatomy on the development of metastases. We compared the dissemination of tumor cells to different tissues at different stages in both an orthotopic and a heterotopic model of colon cancer in the rat. We used DHD/K12-PROb cells and two groups of BD-IX rats: group O (orthotopic), in which tumors were implanted by intramural injection of the cecum; and group H (heterotopic), in which cells were injected subcutaneously into the thoracic wall. Animals were assigned randomly to one of nine subgroups of each group in terms of the time between the injection of cells and euthanasia (from the third to the twelfth week). The presence of lung or liver macrometastases was recorded and tumor DNA was detected in lung and liver samples from all animals. We found that lung metastases developed in rats in groups O and H, but no metastases were found in liver parenchymas. The rates of detection of tumor DNA in lung and in liver samples were similar in the two groups. Our results suggest that the site of inoculation of DHD/K12-PROb cells did not influence the pattern of development of metastases. This does not support the proposed role of the circulatory anatomy in the distribution of metastases.     

Experimental nude mouse model of human colorectal cancer liver metastases

A nude mouse model (BALB/c) was established for investigating the production of hepatic metastases by human colorectal carcinoma (HCC) cells. The malignant potentials of 3 different HCCs derived from a primary tumor (HCC-P4733), a lymph node metastasis (HCC-M14328), and a hepatic metastasis (HCC-M1410) were investigated following implantation into the spleens of athymic nude mice. Cells of the HCC-M1410 line produced extensive liver tumors in all mice by 30 days after injection. Cells of the HCC-M14328 and HCC-P4733 lines produced few liver tumors in the inoculated mice and then only after a 90-day period. Isozyme and karyotype analyses ascertained the human origin of all the tumors. Studies with [125I]IdUrd-labeled HT-29 carcinoma cells suggested that tumor cells reached the liver shortly after injection into the spleen. Thus the production of HCC tumors in livers of nude mice was determined by the ability of HCC cells to proliferate in the liver parenchyma rather than by the ability of the cells to reach the liver. The results suggest that the intrasplenic injection of HCC cells can provide a valuable model for the study of the biology and therapy of the liver metastases.     

The effect of the bisphosphonate ibandronate on breast cancer metastasis to visceral organs

Bisphosphonate (BPs), specific inhibitors of osteoclastic bone resorption, are widely used therapeutic agents for bone metastases in breast cancer patients. Nevertheless, the effects of BPs on visceral metastases are controversial. Here we specifically studied the effects of the BP ibandronate on visceral metastases of breast cancer using two animal models. In the first set of experiments, we examined the effects of ibandronate on lung metastasis using 4T1 mouse mammary tumor that developed pulmonary and bone metastases following orthotopic inoculation in syngeneic female Balb/c mice. In the second set of experiments, we examined the effects of ibandronate on adrenal metastasis using a clone of the MDA-MB-231 (MDA-231) human breast cancer (MDA-231AD cells) that developed adrenal and bone metastases following intracardiac inoculation in female nude mice. These breast cancer cells were stably transfected with a firefly luciferase cDNA to facilitate quantification of the metastatic tumor burden in visceral organs. Ibandronate (4 µg/day, sc, daily) was given either after metastases were established (therapeutic administration) or at the time of tumor cell inoculation (preventative administration). In both models with each protocol, ibandronate reproducibly reduced bone metastases, establishing that BPs are effective pharmacological agents for the treatment of bone metastases in breast cancer. In the 4T1 model, neither the preventative nor therapeutic administration of ibandronate caused any effects on lung metastases. In the MDA-231 model, the preventative administration of ibandronate significantly increased adrenal metastases. However, no increase in the adrenal metastases was observed when an anti-cancer agent doxorubicin was co-administered. Therapeutic administration of ibandronate showed no effects on the adrenal metastases. Our results suggest that BPs cause no adverse effects on visceral metastases when administered in the manners that breast cancer patients usually receive.     

Comparison of the inhibitory effect of the angiogenesis inhibitor,TNP-470, and mitomycin c on the growth and liver metastasis of human colon cancer

Angiogenesis inhibitors have attracted considerable interest. The anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects of TNP-470, an angiogenesis inhibitor, and mitomycin C (MMC), a representative anti-neoplastic agent, were investigated using a xenotrans-planted human colon cancer, TK-4. Suturing of small pieces of TK-4 tumors to the cecal wall in nude mice (orthotopic transplantation) induced liver metastasis. Mice were randomly divided into 3 groups; a control group given saline solution, a group receiving TNP-470 and a group receiving MMC. TNP-470 was given s.c. on alternate days for 5 weeks from day 10 after cecal transplantation and MMC was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) once a week from day 10 after cecal transplantation. MMC significantly inhibited cecal tumor growth. In the control group, liver metastases developed in 9 out of 10 mice, including 3 with more than 20 metastatic foci. Liver metastasis also developed in 8 out of 10 mice receiving MMC, 2 of which had many metastases. In contrast, liver metastasis developed in only 2 out of 8 mice in the TNP-470 group and neither of these animals had numerous metastases. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.