Anticancer Activity of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. in a Hamster Model and the Use of PET-CT for Early Detection and Monitoring of Cholangiocarcinoma Progression | Chapter 3 | Achievements and Challenges of Medicine and Medical Science Vol. 6

Background: Opisthorchis viverrini (OV)-induced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a significant public health issue in the Great Mekong region, particularly in Thailand. Current treatment options are limited, and early detection remains challenging, hindering effective management of CCA. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-CCA potential of the ethanolic extract of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. and assess the applicability of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for CCA in an OV/dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced hamster model.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. in an OV/DMN-induced hamster model of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and to assess the potential of PET-CT for early detection and monitoring the progression of CCA.

Methods: Male Syrian hamsters were used to assess the toxicity and anti-CCA effects of Atractylodes lancea ethanolic extract. CCA was induced in male Syrian hamsters using a combination of OV infection and DMN exposure. The ethanolic extract of A. lancea was administered orally for 30 days. PET-CT imaging using 18F-FDG was conducted every 4 weeks after the initiation of CCA.

Results: The ethanolic extract of A. lancea demonstrated promising anti-CCA activity and a favorable safety profile in the OV/DMN-induced hamster model. PET-CT imaging successfully detected tumor formation and progression, although modifications to the radiolabeling approach are needed to enhance specificity for CCA cells. The median (95% CI) tumor 18F-FDG uptake (percentage of baseline) in CCA-baring and normal control hamsters at weeks 4, 8, 12, and 16 after OV infection were comparable (90 vs 100, 130 vs 140, 170 vs 175, and 200 vs 205 at week 4, 8, 12, and 16 after OV-infection, respectively).

Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. demonstrates significant potential as a therapeutic agent against cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), showing both potent anticancer activity and a safe profile in the hamster model. Additionally, while PET-CT proves to be a feasible tool for monitoring tumor development and progression, enhancements in radiolabeling techniques are essential to improve the specificity for detecting CCA cells and ensure more accurate early detection and assessment of treatment efficacy. While PET-CT successfully detected tumor development, further optimization of the radiolabeling technique is needed to improve its selectivity for CCA cells.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Tullayakorn Plengsuriyakarn
Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.

 

Naoki Matsuda
Division of Radiation Biology and Protection, Radioisotope Center, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.

 

Juntra Karbwang
Department of Clinical Product Development, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.

 

Vithoon Viyanant
Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.

 

Kenji Hirayama
Department of Immunogenetics, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.

 

Kesara Na-Bangchang
Center of Excellence in Pharmacology and Molecular Biology of Malaria and Cholangiocarcinoma, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/acmms/v6/2905

Contribution of Molecular Imaging in Radiation Oncology | Chapter 7 | Current Practice in Medical Science Vol. 6

Regarding sophisticated treatment planning, cancer imaging, and treatment methods, oncology has achieved significant advancements in recent years. Molecular imaging, which enables identifying or describing living biological processes at the cellular and molecular level and is specifically addressed to reveal abnormalities in cells and molecules which cause the cancer, was developed as a result of the limitations of conventional imaging in radiation oncology. The techniques employed include optical imaging, ultrasonography, radiotracer imaging such as PET scan and SPECT, MRI, and MR spectroscopy. Better results can potentially be determined in the early stages by molecular imaging, which enables early diagnosis of cancer cells and prompt treatment. Cell metabolism and proliferation, hypoxia, apoptosis, and angiogenesis are some of the areas where this approach can be used. In the past ten years, molecular imaging-based diagnostic techniques have advanced in the areas of cancer diagnosis and staging, target definition, and response evaluation. The most used imaging method is an 18-FDG PET-CT scan, which is extremely valuable in detecting malignancies of the lung, breast, prostate, lymphoma, and many other types with higher sensitivity and specificity. The development of multimodality treatment approaches that include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and molecularly targeted anti-cancer drugs is a result of improvements in our understanding of the pathophysiology of cancer. It can be concluded that using molecular imaging in conjunction with various therapy methods can be very beneficial for the management of cancer.

 

Author (s) Details

Sheeba Bhardwaj

Department of Radiation Oncology, Pandit BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India.

Diptajit Paul

Department of Radiation Oncology, Pandit BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India.

Vivek Kaushal

Department of Radiation Oncology, Pandit BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India.

 

View Book :-  https://stm.bookpi.org/CPMS-V6/article/view/7681