In vivo antitumor and antimetastatic activities of camptothecin encapsulated with N-trimethyl chitosan in a preclinical mouse model of liver cancer

Zhou, Lina; Li, Xingyi; Chen, Xiancheng; Li, Zhiyong; Liu, Xianping; Zhou, Shengtao; Zhong, Qian; Yi, Tao; Wei, Yuquan; Zhao, Xia; Qian, Zhiyong

doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2010.04.024

« Previous Next »Cancer Letters
Volume 297, Issue 1 , Pages 56-64, 1 November 2010

In vivo antitumor and antimetastatic activities of camptothecin encapsulated with N-trimethyl chitosan in a preclinical mouse model of liver cancer

Lina Zhou
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
Xingyi Li
- State Key Laboratory, Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
Xiancheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory, Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
Zhiyong Li
- State Key Laboratory, Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
Xianping Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
Shengtao Zhou
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
Qian Zhong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
Tao Yi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
Yuquan Wei
- State Key Laboratory, Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
Xia Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence to: Xia Zhao, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 20, Section 3, South People’s Road, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China. Tel./fax: +86 28 85501633.
Zhiyong Qian
- State Key Laboratory, Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence to: Zhiyong Qian, State Key Laboratory, Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Keyuan Road 4 No. 1, Gaopeng Street, High Technological Development Zone, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China. Tel.: +86 28 85164063; fax: +86 28 85164060.

Received 13 January 2010; received in revised form 18 April 2010; accepted 27 April 2010. published online 24 May 2010.

Abstract

Application of camptothecin (CPT) is hampered due to its extreme water insolubility and unpredictable side effects. Therefore, it is essential to establish an efficient and safe protocol for the administration of camptothecin against tumor growth and metastasis. Here, we encapsulated camptothecin with N-trimethyl chitosan (CPT–TMC) and tested it on BALB/c mice subcutaneously injected with murine hepatocellular carcinoma cells at the hindlimb feet pad. CPT–TMC effectively inhibited tumor growth and lymphatic metastasis, prolonged survival time, yet without apparent toxic effects. Thus, CPT–TMC may provide a novel and effective therapeutic strategy against human advanced hepatic cancer without conspicuous systemic toxic effects.

Keywords: Camptothecin, TMC, Lymphatic metastasis, Lymphogenesis, Hepatic cancer