Tokuya Tomioka

Intra-tumor injection of an angiogenesis inhibitor, TNP-470, in rabbits bearing VX2 carcinoma of the tongue

A semi-synthetic analogue of fumagillin, TNP-470, has been shown to be a potent angiogenesis inhibitor. In this study, we evaluated the anti-tumor efficacy of TNP-470 on rabbits bearing VX2 carcinoma of the tongue, by comparison of topical, intra-tumor (i.t.) injection with systemic, intra-venous (i.v.) administration. The i.t. injection of the angiogenesis inhibitor produced much stronger anti-tumor effects, and almost complete tumor regression was achieved at doses of 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg. TNP-470 injected intra-tumorally significantly reduced expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and microvessel density in the VX2 carcinoma of the tongue. TNP-470 also halted the tumor-associated neovascularization in the rabbit cornea assay. These data suggest that i.t. injection of TNP-470 effectively inhibits tumor angiogenesis and disrupts microvasculature development, which may suppress tumor growth. In conclusion, the i.t. injection of TNP-470 provided remarkable anti-tumor effects on the VX2 carcinoma of the tongue and is expected to have promising therapeutic uses for oral cancer.

A case of epulis osteoplastica.

The tumor mass developed in the 45 lingual gingival region of a 56-year-old female, which was clinically and histopathologically diagnosed as an epulis osteoplastica, was examined with the transmission electron microscope. 1. In histopathological findings. The tumor was covered with laminated flat epithelium, which was severely filled with the connective tissue. Bone tissues were observed between these fibers. 2. In transmission electron microscopic findings. 1) The tissue was recognized to fully contain mature collagen fibers. Partially Osteoblast, Osteoclast and bone matrix can be seen in them. 2) These bone matrix formations suggested the calcification of a typical needle crystal which ran along the crosstriation structure of collagen fibers.