Multisite Is Superior to Single-Site Intratumoral Chemotherapy to Retard the Outcomes of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma in a Murine Model.

INTRODUCTION

Locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (LAPC) has a dismal prognosis, with intratumoral therapies showing limited benefits. We assume that the dense stroma within these tumors hampers drug dispersion.

AIM

This study explores the efficacy of multisite intratumoral injections in improving a drug's distribution while minimizing its side effects.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In mice with orthotopic LAPC tumors, weekly intratumoral injections of oxaliplatin at four separate sites reduced the tumor growth by 46% compared with saline ( < 0.003). Oxaliplatin exhibited the greatest impact on the tumor microenvironment relative to gemcitabine, Abraxane, or their combination, with increased necrosis, apoptosis, fibroblasts, inflammation, and infiltrating lymphocytes ( < 0.008). When combined with intravenous FOLFIRINOX (FFX), multisite intratumoral oxaliplatin reduced the tumor weight by 35% compared with single-site injection ( = 0.007). No additional visible toxicity was observed even at a 10-fold occurrence of intratumoral treatment. This co-modality treatment significantly improved survival compared with other groups ( = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Multisite intratumoral therapy in tandem with systemic treatment holds promise for reducing the tumor size and enhancing the overall survival in LAPC.