Therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel and carboplatin via arterial or venous perfusion in rabbits with VX-2 tongue cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin in different ways in rabbits with VX-2 tongue cancer.

METHODS: Rabbit VX-2 tongue cancer model was established and animals were then divided into 6 groups, in which animals received perfusion with paclitaxel liposome and carboplatin via the lingual artery, with free paclitaxel and carboplatin via the lingual artery, with 5% glucose via the lingual artery, with paclitaxel liposome and carboplatin via ear vein, with free paclitaxel and carboplatin via the ear vein and with 5% glucose via the ear vein independently. When the maximum diameter of cervical lymph nodes was larger than 5 mm, chemotherapy was initiated. Seven days later, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the apoptosis of VX-2 cells and P53 expression in the primary cancer and metastatic lymph nodes.

RESULTS: Targeted arterial perfusion with paclitaxel liposome in combination with carboplatin was more effective to induce the apoptosis of cancer cells in the primary cancer and metastatic lymph nodes and inhibit their proliferation.

CONCLUSION: Targeted arterial perfusion with paclitaxel liposome in combination with carboplatin is effective to reduce tumor size, attenuate the surgery induced injury and improve the post-operative quality of life of oral cancer patients.