AUTHOR=Hu Fangling , Guo Liang , Yu Jieqing , Dai Daofeng , Xiong Yuanping , He Yuanqiao , Zhou Wensheng 

TITLE=Using Patient-Derived Xenografts to Explore the Efficacy of Treating Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Anlotinib

JOURNAL=Pathology and Oncology Research

VOLUME=27

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.por-journal.com/journals/pathology-and-oncology-research/articles/10.3389/pore.2021.1610008

DOI=10.3389/pore.2021.1610008

ISSN=1532-2807

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> The efficacy of anlotinib as a treatment for head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been little explored. Here, we used patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) to this end.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Fresh tumor tissues of HNSCC patients were screened in terms of <italic>in vitro</italic> drug sensitivity using the MTT assay. Patient PDXs were used to confirm the anti-tumor effects of anlotinib <italic>in vivo</italic>. After the medication regimen was complete, the tumor volume changes in mice were calculated. Apoptosis was measured using the TUNEL assay. The cell proliferation and apoptosis levels of PDXs yielded data on the utility of anlotinib treatment <italic>in vivo</italic>.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Anlotinib suppressed the <italic>in vitro</italic> proliferation of nine tumor tissues by an average of 51.05 ± 13.74%. Anlotinib also significantly inhibited the growth of three PDXs in mice (tumor growth inhibition 79.02%). The expression levels of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen after anlotinib treatment were significantly lower than those in the controls. The negative and positive controls exhibited no and some apoptosis, respectively, whereas the anlotinib group evidenced extensive apoptosis.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Anlotinib suppressed HNSCC growth <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic> (by inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis), suggesting that anlotinib can potentially treat HNSCC.</p>