Subcutaneous administration of ketoprofen delays Ehrlich solid tumor growth in mice

Ketoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) has proven to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic activities in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions. We investigated the effects of this compound on tumor development in Swiss mice previously inoculated with Ehrlich tumor cells. To carry out this study the solid tumor was obtained from cells of the ascites fluid of Ehrlich tumor re-suspended in physiological saline to give 2.5x106cells in 0.05mL. After tumor inoculation, the animals were separated into two groups (n = 10). The animals treated with ketoprofen 0.1µg/100µL/animal were injected intraperitoneally at intervals of 24h for 10 consecutive days. Animals from the control group received saline. At the end of the experiment the mice were killed and the tumor removed. We analyzed tumor growth, histomorphological and immunohistochemical characteristics for CDC47 (cellular proliferation marker) and for CD31 (blood vessel marker). Animals treated with the ketoprofen 0.1µg/100µL/animal showed lower tumor growth. The treatment did not significantly influence the size of the areas of cancer, inflammation, necrosis and hemorrhage. Moreover, lower rates of tumor cell proliferation were observed in animals treated with ketoprofen compared with the untreated control group. The participation of ketoprofen in controlling tumor malignant cell proliferation would open prospects for its use in clinical and antineoplasic therapy. O cetoprofeno é uma droga anti-inflamatória não esteroidal (NSAID), que exerce efeito anti-inflamatório, antiproliferativo e antitumoral em condições neoplásicas e não neoplásicas. Foram investigados os efeitos desse composto sobre o desenvolvimento tumoral de camundongos Swiss previamente inoculados com células do tumor de Ehrlich. Para realização deste estudo, o tumor sólido foi obtido a partir de células do fluido ascítico do tumor de Ehrlich suspendido em solução salina fisiológica para se obter 2,5x106 de células em 0,05mL. Após a inoculação do tumor, os animais foram separados em dois grupos (n = 10). Os animais do grupo tratado receberam cetoprofeno 0,1μg/100μL/animal por via intraperitoneal, em intervalos de 24 horas durante 10 dias consecutivos, e o controle 100µL de solução salina. No final do experimento, os animais foram sacrificados, e o tumor removido. Foram analisados o crescimento do tumor e as características histomorfológicas e imunoistoquímicas para CDC47 (marcador de proliferação