Evaluation of intraperitoneal dehydration, hyperthermia, and chemotherapy in an in vitro model of peritoneal metastasis.

Abstract

e15200 Background: A newly introduced combination of intraperitoneal dehydration, hyperthermia, and subsequent chemotherapy (triple therapy) has been proposed as a possible novel treatment option for peritoneal metastasis (PM). For the first time, our study evaluates the effects of this combined modality in an in vitro model of peritoneal metastasis. Methods: An in vitro peritoneal metastasis model (PMM) was constructed using human colon cancer cells (HT-29) and peritoneal progenitor cells laparoscopically harvested from swine. The PMM was subjected to single or several cycles of partial dehydration under hyperthermic conditions (45 °C), followed by chemotherapy with oxaliplatin. Viability, cytotoxicity and structural integrity of the peritoneal metastasis nodules were assessed after triple therapy and compared to controls. Results: Following a single cycle of triple therapy, peritoneal metastasis nodules in the PMM showed signs of structural disintegration with reduced viability (p < 0.05). The cytotoxic effect of triple therapy on metastasis nodules was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that observed in untreated controls or chemotherapy alone. The physiological peritoneal surface was comparatively less affected by the components of dehydration and hyperthermia; but exhibited greater susceptibility to chemotherapy. Conclusions: Triple therapy induces structural disintegration in PM and higher cytotoxicity compared with chemotherapy alone. These promising findings warrant further validation in an in vivo setting. And therefore, additional studies are required to fully evaluate this novel therapeutic approach.