Experimental studies on adriamycin alginate-chitosan microcapsules in the treatment of rabbit VX2 carcinoma in the extremity / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of chemoembolization with adriamycin alginate-chitosan microcapsules in the treatment of VX2 carcinoma in the extremity of the rabbit.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits transplanted with VX2 carcinoma cells into the muscle tissue of the lower right thigh were divided into four groups namely groups A, B, C and D, and received regional infusion from femoral artery. Each group consisted of six rabbits a group given natural saline (Group A), a group given adriamycin (Group B), a group given blank alginate-chitosan microcapsules (Group C) and a group given adriamycin alginate-chitosan microcapsules (Group D). Three days after treatment, all groups were examined by histology and immunohistochemical detection (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling technique, TUNEL; proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The blood vessels of the tumor were almost embolized by the microcapsules. Extensive necrosis, high level of positive cells in TUNEL (60.85% +/- 5.21%) and low level in PCNA detection with in the tumors were observed in Group D.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Adriamycin alginate-chitosan microcapsules can potentially play roles in two respects, 1 to serve as embolizing agents, and 2 to serve as drug delivery vehicles for local release. Chemoembolization with microparticals is an effective treatment of malignant osseous and soft tissue sarcomas in an experimental model.</p>