Pancreatic Disorders & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Ethyl Pyruvate Inhibits Pancreatic Tumor Growth in Mice

Qian-Qian Li, Xue-Feng Lu, Chong-Qi Jia, Xu-Yang Liang, Jun-Ying Jia, Ke-Qiang Yan and Bao-Quan Cheng

Abstract Objective: We evaluate the anti-tumor effect of Ethyl Pyruvate (EP) on the human pancreatic cancer xenograft in nude mice. Methods: Human pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 was used in vivo to investigate the effect of EP on the human pancreatic cancer in mice. The mice were treated with different doses of EP (100 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, i. p. ) initiating 1 hour (early treatment) after tumor cells injection daily for 14 days, and EP (100 mg/kg, i. p. ) was administered beginning12 days (delayed treatment) after tumor cells injection daily for 14 days. Tumor volumes were measured. ELISA was used to measure tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α, interleukin (IL) -1β, IL-6 and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Results: EP administration inhibited pancreatic tumor growth significantly. The differences in tumor volumes were statistical significant (P=0.0001) and in tumor weights (P=0.0028) between treatment and untreated groups. Treatment with the higher (100 mg/kg) dose of EP conferred better efficacy than lower (50 mg/kg) group (P=0.024). Early treatment with EP inhibited tumor significantly than delayed treatment (P=0.001). Early administration of EP inhibits TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and HMGB1 release. Conclusions: EP may have potential as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.