An Experimental Study on the Administration Route of A Anti-cancer Drug for Prevention of Hepatic Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer

Naoki Takahashi

Department of Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical College Daini Hospital

The efficacy of an anticancer drug-containing lipiodol emulsion administered for the prevention of hepatic metastasis was investigated in relation to the route of administration. Epirubicin at 0.5 mg/kg emulusified with lipiodol was given to rebbits via the hepatic artery (IA) or portal vein (IP), and changes in tissue concentration and blood biochemical parameters were determined. One million VX2 tumor cells were then transplanted via the portal vein, and the emulsion was given via the IA or the IP 3 days (settlement phase) or 10 days (occult hepatic metastasis phase) later. The efficacy of the drug was evaluated in terms of the number of metastatic foci on the hepatic surface 16 days after transplantation. The concentration of the drug in hepatic tissue persisted at 1 µg/g for more than 5 h after administration, regardless of whether it was given via the IA or the IP. Both administration routes were associated with an increase in GOT and GPT, although this was transitory. The number of metastatic foci was significantly lower (p<0.05) in animals treated via the IA or Ip than in controls during the settlement phase. Howerver, in the occult hepatic metastasis phase, only the IA group showed a significant difference (p<0.05) from the control group. These results indicate that both the IA and IP routes are effective in the very early stage of hepatic metastasis, whereas the IA route alone is effective against foci of subsequent occult hepatic metastasis.

Key words
prevention of hepatic metastasis, water in oil emulsion, lipiodol, hepatic artery chemotherapy, portal vein chemotherapy

Reprint requests
Naoki Takahashi Department of Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical College Daini Hospital
2-1-10 Nishiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, 116 JAPAN

Accepted
September 14, 1994

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