Tumor Growth Suppression and Enhanced Radioresponse by an Exogenous Epidermal Growth Factor in Mouse Xenograft Models with A431 Cells.
- Author:
Yu Jin LIM
1
;
Sang Rok JEON
;
Jae Moon KOH
;
Hong Gyun WU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Epidermal growth factor; Radiation-sensitizing agents; Antineoplastic agents; Xenograft model antitumor assays; Apoptosis
- MeSH: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Caspase 3; Eosine Yellowish-(YS); Epidermal Growth Factor*; Follow-Up Studies; Hematoxylin; Heterografts*; Immunohistochemistry; Kidney; Leg; Liver; Lung; Mice*; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; Tumor Burden; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
- From:Cancer Research and Treatment 2015;47(4):921-930
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether an exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF) could induce anti-tumor and radiosensitizing effects in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BALB/c-nu mice that were inoculated with A431 (human squamous cell carcinoma) cells in the right hind legs were divided into five groups: I (no treatment), II (EGF for 6 days), III (EGF for 20 days), IV (radiotherapy [RT]), and V (RT plus concomitant EGF). EGF was administered intraperitoneally (5 mg/kg) once a day and the RT dose was 30 Gy in six fractions. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained sections of tumor, liver, lung, and kidney tissues were investigated. Additionally, tumors were subjected to immunohistochemistry staining with caspase-3. RESULTS: EGF for 6 days decreased tumor volume, but it approached the level of the control group at the end of follow-up (p=0.550). The duration of tumor shrinkage was prolonged in group V while the slope of tumor re-growth phase was steeper in group IV (p=0.034). EGF for 20 days decreased tumor volume until the end of the observation period (p < 0.001). Immunohistochemistry revealed that mice in group V showed stronger intensity than those in group IV. There were no abnormal histological findings upon H&E staining of the normal organs. CONCLUSION: EGF-induced anti-tumor effect was ascertained in the xenograft mouse models with A431 cells. Concomitant use of EGF has the potential role as a radiosensitizer in the design of fractionated irradiation.
