Synergistic effect of coumadin and cytoxan in reducing lung metastases

Alan Sawchuk, Wallace Nogami, John Sterneva, Jeffrey A. Grosfeld, Greg Nicholson, Mark D. Grosfeld, Jay L. Grosfeld

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lung metastasis is a frequent cancer complication resulting in significant mortality. This study evaluates the effect of coumadin and cytoxan alone and in combination on lung metastases in rats challenged with Morris hepatoma 3924A. Seventy-seven male American Cancer Institute (ACI) rats weighing 200 g were studied. Thirty-seven rats received coumadin orally for six days, which resulted in a prothrombin time 2 times that of controls (30 sec). All rats received 1 × 105 clumped Morris hepatoma cells via tail vein injection. Animals were divided into four groups: Group I (controls, n = 20) received no antitumor treatment; group II rats (n = 20) received 25 mg/kg cytoxan intraperitoneally at the time of tumor challenge; group III animals (n = 19) received coumadin alone; while group IV (n = 18) received both coumadin and cytoxan. Rats were evaluated for number of lung metastases and lung weight at 3 weeks postinjection. Data was subjected to statistical analysis by the Student's t test. The mean number of lung metastases were 580 ± 45 in group I, 350 ± 310 in group II, 330 ± 263 in group III, and 200 ± 161 in group IV (P < .005 [IV] v [I], P < .05 [IV] v [II], [III]), (P < .05 [II] v [I]), (P < .05 [III] v [I]). Mean lung weights were 2.597 g ± 1.65 in group I, 2.049 g ± 0.75 in group II, 1.898 g ± 0.80 in group III, and 1.677 g ± 0.31 in group IV. (P < .025 [IV] v [I], P < .05 [IV] v [II]). These data indicate coumadin and cytoxan act synergistically in reducing lung metastases. These observations suggest the synergistic effect of these two agents may prove useful in the prevention of lung metastases in the clinical setting.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1119-1122
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Pediatric Surgery
Volume21
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1986
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Coumadin
  • cyclophosphamide
  • pulmonary metastases

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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