[Inhibition effect of Swainsonine on the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer in vivo].

OBJECTIVE

To study the immunomodulating effect of Swainsonine (SW), an inhibitor of alpha-mannosidase II, and the inhibiting effect on the growth and metastasis of gastric cancer.

METHODS

Nude mice with human gastric cancer xenograft orthotopically implanted into the gastric wall were fed with drinking water containing 3 mg/L SW for two days alternating with that containing no SW for two days until sacrificed eight weeks after tumor implantation.

RESULTS

The mean tumor volume in the SW-treated group was significantly smaller than that of the control group (0.42 +/- 0.26 cm3 vs 1.60 +/- 0.36 cm3). Calculated by volume, the tumor growth was inhibited by 73.8%. Metastasis to the liver was observed in 20% and 80% of the SW-treated and control mice, while metastasis to the peritoneum was seen in 30% and 90% of SW-treated and control mice, respectively. The total number of splenic cells, and the NK cell activity both of PBL and splenic cells were all elevated.

CONCLUSIONS

SW is effective in inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis of human gastric cancer in nude mice. Enhanced immune response, among other things, may be involved in the anti-tumor effect.