Disaggregation of luminal alimentary tract tumors by E-cad disruption: a report of six cases

Abstract Background Malignant luminal alimentary tract tumor chemotherapy remains a great challenge at present due to risks and toxicities associated with current chemodrugs, as well as the potential for treatment resistance. Layered double hydroxide (LDH)/ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), such a tumor disaggregation-based treatment reagent for alimentary tract cancers was assessed in six patients bearing luminal tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bio-safety and efficacy of LDH/EDTA for treating luminal alimentary tract tumors with high malignance. Methods Two patients with colorectal cancer received intestinal perfusion of LDH/EDTA by colonoscopy every week for 6 weeks, and four patients with esophagus tumors received oral administration of LDH/EDTA for at least 1 month. The efficacy of LDH/EDTA were evaluated by determining tumor size reductions through contrast-enhanced CT imaging. Tumor cell dissociation was evaluated by flow cytometry to validate the tumor disaggregation. Results The colorectal cancer patients presented 33.3% and 16.7% reductions in tumor size after LDH/EDTA treatment. Additionally, symptoms of intestinal obstruction were largely alleviated. Four esophagus cancer patients experienced 6.7%, 26.7%, 16.7% and 15.4% reductions in tumor size, respectively, and symptoms of dysphagia were largely alleviated. All enrolled patients had normal physical condition based on blood routine examinations and hepatic and renal function examinations. Conclusions Tumor disaggregation strategy for luminal alimentary tract tumor removal is a highly promising, mild, noninvasive modality, which offers an unprecedented paradigm for highly effective and safe treatment for patients with luminal alimentary tract tumors. This study is registered with www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2200061587, ChiCTR2200065010).