PURPOSE: This study evaluates the anti-tumor effect of regional chemotherapy compared with chemoembolization in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one rabbits bearing VX2 liver tumors were divided into the following four groups: (a) the transarterial (TA) group (n=6) received a transarterial injection of doxorubicin through the hepatic artery (1 mg/kg); (b) the transarterial and transportal (TAP) group (n=6) received injections of doxorubicin through both the hepatic artery (1 mg/kg) and the portal vein (1 mg/kg); (c) the transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) group (n=6) received a transarterial injection of doxorubicin (1 mg/kg) followed by gelatin sponge embolization; and (d) the control group (n=3) received no treatment. With the use of computed tomography, tumor growth rates were calculated and microscopic examinations were performed to evaluate the extent of tumor necrosis. RESULTS: Seven days after each treatment, the mean tumor growth rates were 216.7%±189.0% in the TA group, 77.1%±73.9% in the TAP group, and 489.5%±352.1% in the control group; there were no significant differences in tumor growth rates (P = 0.057). The tumor growth rate of the TACE group could not be evaluated due to extensive liver necrosis. The mean tumor necrosis rates were 41.9%±11.5% in the TA group, 51.4%±11.1% in the TAP group, 94.7%±3.5% in the TACE group, and 29.3%±6.7% in the control group; the TACE group showed significantly higher tumor necrosis than any other groups. CONCLUSION: Single session regional chemotherapy has limited anti-tumor effects when compared with TACE in the rabbit VX2 tumor model.
PURPOSE: This study evaluates the anti-tumor effect of regional chemotherapy compared with chemoembolization in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one rabbits bearing VX2 liver tumors were divided into the following four groups: (a) the transarterial (TA) group (n=6) received a transarterial injection of doxorubicin through the hepatic artery (1 mg/kg); (b) the transarterial and transportal (TAP) group (n=6) received injections of doxorubicin through both the hepatic artery (1 mg/kg) and the portal vein (1 mg/kg); (c) the transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) group (n=6) received a transarterial injection of doxorubicin (1 mg/kg) followed by gelatin sponge embolization; and (d) the control group (n=3) received no treatment. With the use of computed tomography, tumor growth rates were calculated and microscopic examinations were performed to evaluate the extent of tumor necrosis. RESULTS: Seven days after each treatment, the mean tumor growth rates were 216.7%±189.0% in the TA group, 77.1%±73.9% in the TAP group, and 489.5%±352.1% in the control group; there were no significant differences in tumor growth rates (P = 0.057). The tumor growth rate of the TACE group could not be evaluated due to extensive liver necrosis. The mean tumor necrosis rates were 41.9%±11.5% in the TA group, 51.4%±11.1% in the TAP group, 94.7%±3.5% in the TACE group, and 29.3%±6.7% in the control group; the TACE group showed significantly higher tumor necrosis than any other groups. CONCLUSION: Single session regional chemotherapy has limited anti-tumor effects when compared with TACE in the rabbit VX2 tumor model.