Antitumor Effect of Docetaxel-Loaded Lipid Microbubbles Combined With Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Activation on VX2 Rabbit Liver Tumors

Objective. The purpose of the study was to explore the antitumor effect of docetaxel-loaded lipid microbubbles combined with ultrasound-targeted microbubble activation (UTMA) on VX2 rabbit liver tumors. Methods. Docetaxel-loaded lipid microbubbles were made by a mechanical vibration technique. VX2 liver tumor models were established in 90 rabbits, which were randomly divided into 6 groups, including control, docetaxal-loaded lipid microbubbles alone, docetaxal alone, docetaxal combined with ultrasound, pure lipid microbubbles combined with ultrasound, and docetaxel-loaded lipid microbubbles combined with ultrasound (DOC+MB/US). The tumor volume and inhibition rate (IR) of tumor growth were calculated and compared. Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxyuridine nick end labeling. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. Caspase 3 and MMP2 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was detected by in situ hybridization histochemistry. The tumor metastasis rate and survival time of the animals were compared. Results. The IR and apoptotic index of the DOC+MB/US group were the highest among all groups, and the proliferating labeling index was the lowest. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 protein and mRNA expression in the DOC+MB/US group was the lowest among all groups, and caspase 3 mRNA expression in the DOC+MB/US group was the highest. The extensive metastasis rate in the DOC+MB/US group was the lowest, and the survival time of the animals in the DOC+MB/US group was the longest. Conclusions. Docetaxel-loaded lipid microbubbles combined with UTMA could inhibit the growth of VX2 rabbit liver tumors by deferring proliferation and promoting apoptosis, which may provide a novel targeted strategy for chemotherapy of liver carcinoma.