Serum Obtained from Rats after Partial Hepatectomy Enhances Growth of Cultured Colon Carcinoma Cells

Abstract

Tumour-bearing rats were randomized to a 70% partial hepatectomy or a sham operation. At days 1, 3 or 14, portal and systemic serum was obtained and colon carcinoma cells were cultured in the presence of 5, 10, 20 or 50% serum. Proliferation and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) expression was measured in tumour cells. Proliferation was 25–40% higher in tumour cells cultured with portal serum after hepatectomy than after sham operation when using serum obtained at day 3, but not days 1 and 14 after operation. In cultures with serum obtained at day 14 after operation CC 531 cells showed a 30% higher proliferation rate with systemic hepatectomy serum than CC 531 cells with sham systemic serum. These effects were not mediated by a change in EGFr mRNA and protein levels as the used colon carcinoma cells did not reveal EGFr activity by any of the three detection methods used.

Portal and systemic serum growth factor and acute-phase response after laparotomy or partial hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases: a prognostic role for C-reactive protein and hepatocyte growth factor

“…In rats with colorectal liver tumours, it was found that timedependent changes in portal and systemic serum after PH were able to stimulate in vitro tumour cell growth (20). Therefore in the present study in humans, we measured changes in growth factor levels in portal and systemic serum after PH and after laparotomy alone.…”

“…Enhancement of tumour growth during liver regeneration has been described in animal experiments, and can possibly be explained by increased growth factor production in the liver and changes in serum growth factor levels (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22). In rats with colorectal liver tumours, it was found that timedependent changes in portal and systemic serum after PH were able to stimulate in vitro tumour cell growth (20).…”

Radiofrequency Ablation versus Resection for Resectable Colorectal Liver Metastases: Time for a Randomized Trial?

“…Hepatectomy in particular is known to stimulate growth of residual, both intra- and extrahepatic, tumor cells in animal experiments [134,135,136,137,138]. The stimulating effect is proportional to the extent of the resection [134, 138].…”

“…The stimulating effect is proportional to the extent of the resection [134, 138]. The stimulation is attributed to the production and release of growth factors for liver regeneration [134,135,136, 139], the intensity of which is also proportional to the extent of the liver resection [140]. For instance, hepatocyte growth factor, which strongly enhances liver regeneration after surgical resection or chemical damage, has also been found to increase colon cancer cell motility, growth and metastasis [135].…”

Mechanisms of Focal Heat Destruction of Liver Tumors

“…The angiogenic response caused by increased expression of FGF and other growth factors may favor the proliferation of residual tumor cells [162][163][164] and also have cytoprotective effects [165]. The role of epidermal growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor also has long been recognized to be a major factor in liver regeneration and potential tumor growth [166,167]. The influence of focal hyperthermia on the expression of these regenerative growth factors is however limited [164].…”