[Experimental studies on adriamycin alginate-chitosan microcapsules in the treatment of rabbit VX2 carcinoma in the extremity].

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of chemoembolization with adriamycin alginate-chitosan microcapsules in the treatment of VX2 carcinoma in the extremity of the rabbit.

METHODS

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).

RESULTS

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.

CONCLUSIONS

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.