Effects of chemotherapy on invasion and metastasis of oral cavity cancer in mice.

Abstract

Using an orthotopic implantation model in which oral cancer invasion and metastasis can be reproduced, we investigated the inhibitory effects of anticancer agents on invasion and metastasis. A highly invasive and metastatic human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line, OSC-19, was implanted into the oral floor of nude mice, and cisplatin or peplomycin was administered to the mice 7 or 14 days after implantation. The effects of each anticancer drug and different administration timings on cancer invasion and metastasis were investigated. Tumor size and the ratio of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells was significantly reduced. In the control group, the tumors showed grade 4C mode of invasion, whereas in the groups treated with anticancer drugs, grade 3 was observed in 77.3% of the mice, with an inhibitory effect on tumor invasion being observed. The rate of metastasis in the cervical lymph node was significantly decreased in the groups treated with the cisplatin or peplomycin on day 7 after implantation. The tumor stage progression in the metastatic lymph nodes was also inhibited. Chemotherapy is effective not only for tumor diminution but also for inhibiting invasion and metastasis. In light of these effects, administration of anticancer drugs may be clinically useful in this regard.