Laparotomy Cryoablation in Rabbit VX2 Pancreatic Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish a suitable rabbit model and select the optimal protocol for laparotomy cryoablation of pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODS: VX2 tumor tissues were inoculated into rabbit pancreases to build the pancreatic carcinoma model; then, the tumor-bearing rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, treatment A (the cryoablated-iceball diameter was bigger than the tumor), treatment B (iceball was as big as the tumor), and treatment C (iceball was smaller than the tumor). Related laboratory tests were conducted, and survival time was recorded.

RESULTS: The VX2 pancreatic carcinoma model was successfully established, and serum neuron-specific enolase levels increased continuously after inoculation. Compared with controls, rabbits in treatments A and C groups had no significant survival benefit (P > 0.05), but treatment B significantly prolonged the survival time (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: VX2 pancreatic cancer model was successfully established with neuron-specific enolase as biomarker. Treatment B may be the optimal protocol for pancreatic carcinoma and a new treatment option for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.