Treatment of VX2 carcinomas in rabbits by percutaneous intratumoral injection of heated 0.9% NaCl solutions
Burgener, F.A.; Barbaric, Z.L.
Cancer Research 39(9): 3429-3434
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-5472 PMID: 476671 Document Number: 149142
Percutaneous fine-needle biopsy of lesions in various organs has recently become an established radiological procedure. The extension of this diagnostic modality to a therapeutic modality is the subject of this investigation. Tumors were produced in the hind leg of New Zealand White rabbits by i.m. injection of 0.5 ml VX2 subcutaneous carcinoma suspension, each ml containing 5 .times. 107 tumor cells. Seven days after tumor inoculation, the VX2 carcinomas measured approximately 2 'x 2 .times. 3 cm. Half of the animals were treated at that time by intratumoral injection of 5, 10 or 20 ml heated 0.9% NaCl solution, the other half being treated with an equal amount of 0.9% NaCl at room temperature. All animals were periodically followed up by physical examinators, radiographs and angiograms up to 3 mo. The temperature of the heated 0.9% NaCl at the needle tip was 85 .+-. 4 (S.D.). The maximum increase in tumor temperature 1 and 2 cm from the needle tip was as follows: 5 ml, 18 .+-. 3.degree. and 3 .+-. 2.degree.; 10 ml, 25 .+-. 3.degree. and 6 .+-. 1.degree.; 20 ml, 29 .+-. 5.degree. and 9 .+-. 2.degree. The survival rate increased significantly in all treated animals compared to their controls. At autopsy, the following results were found with the heated 0.9% NaCl: 5 ml, 58% no tumor, 42% tumor locally, 17% metastases; 10 ml 75% no tumor, 25% tumor locally, 12% metastases; 20 ml, 100% neither local tumor nor metastases. Apparently dose-dependent local complications included ulcerations with or without sinus formations, tibia fractures, and muscle atrophy. Local neurological damage seemed not to be dose related. This technique deserves further exploration for the treatment of cancers because it is extremely simple and could easily be adjusted for clinical use.