ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the inhibitive effect of interferon-a on hepatic metastasis of colon cancer. Methods Metastatic model of human colon cancer was established by orthotopic implantation of histologically intact human tumor tissue into the colon wall of nude mice.The mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:(1)Control group(receiving saline solution only);(2)5-FU treatment group;(3) IFN-?-2b treatment group;and(4)5-FU combined with IFN-?-2b treatment group(combined group). 5-FU and IFN-?-2b were given via peritoneum injection 1 time/2 days for eight weeks.The mice were killed at nine weeks.The tumors were weighed,the microvessel density(MVD) was detected,and the liver was examined histologically in order to discover the micrometastasis. Results In control group, 5-FU group,IFN-2b group and combined group,the tumor weight was(1.53?0.78)g,(0.87?0.59)g,(0.81?0.43)g and ( 0.23?0.09)g, respectively;the tumor inhibition rate was 0,43.1%,47.1% and 84.9%, respectively;the hepatic metastasis rate was 85.7%,78.6%,21.4% and 0 respectively.MVD in IFN-? group and combined group was significant lower than that in control group and 5-FU group. Conclusions IFN-? can inhibit the growth and hepatic metastasis of orthotopic implanted human colon cancer by inhibiting the tumor angiogenesis.It may be more effective when INF-? combined with cyotoxic agents.