In vivo and in vitro efficacy of zoledronate for treating oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats

J. M. Wypij, T. M. Fan, R. L. Fredrickson, A. M. Barger, L. P. De Lorimier, S. C. Charney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) may cause painful bone destruction. Given the local invasiveness and rapid clinical progression of OSCC, conventional therapies are often palliative. In human cancer patients, zoledronate exerts anticancer effects by inhibiting tumor-induced angiogenesis and malignant osteolysis. Hypothesis: Zoledronate will exert in vitro and in vivo anti-angiogenic and antiresorptive effects in feline OSCC. Animals: Eight cats with OSCC were prospectively treated with zoledronate and conventional treatment modalities. Methods: In vitro, zoledronate's effects in modulating soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) expression were investigated in a feline OSCC cell line (SCCF1). In vivo, basal serum C-telopeptide (CTx) concentrations were compared among normal and OSCC-bearing cats, and the biologic effects of zoledronate administration in cats with naturally occurring OSCC were quantified by serially assessing circulating serum VEGF and CTx concentrations. Results: In vitro, zoledronate concentrations greater than 3 μM reduce soluble VEGF secretion in the SCCF1 cell line. The expression of RANKL in the SCCF1 cell line was also modulated by zoledronate, with low concentrations (3 μM) decreasing but higher concentrations (30 μM) increasing RANKL expression in comparison with untreated cells. In vivo, cats with bone-invasive OSCC had greater serum CTx concentrations in comparison with geriatric, healthy controls. Treatment with zoledronate rapidly decreased circulating serum VEGF and CTx concentrations in cats with spontaneously occurring OSCC. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Zoledronate exerts in vitro and in vivo effects that may favor the slowing of tumor growth and pathologic bone turnover associated with OSCC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)158-163
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of veterinary internal medicine
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Aminobisphosphonate
  • Cancer
  • Focal malignant osteolysis
  • Serum C-telopeptide
  • Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Veterinary

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