Microwave ablation is emerging as an effective local treatment for solid
tumors. The efficiency of microwave ablation in treating
hepatocellular carcinoma is evidently limited by the incomplete ablation of large
tumors and
tumors in high-risk locations. Microwave ablation in conjunction with localized
chemotherapy is a promising strategy for
cancer therapy. In this study, we prepared As₂O₃-
mPEG-PLGA-PLL nanoparticles by double
emulsion method and investigated their efficacy to eliminate
residual cancer cells and inhibit lung
metastasis after microwave ablation of hepatic VX2
tumor. As₂O₃ formulations were administered into the
residual tumor area for four times over four weeks after microwave ablation (As₂O₃ equivalent to 1 mg/kg
body weight). Both As₂O₃ treatments showed good
therapeutic effects, including inhibiting lung
metastasis and decreasing the stiffness of the
residual tumors. Additionally, As₂O₃-
mPEG-PLGA-PLL nanoparticles had better anti-
cancer efficacy than did the As₂O₃ treatment. Compared with As₂O₃ alone, As₂O₃-
mPEG-PLGA-PLL nanoparticles could increase the expression of epithelial marker
E-cadherin, decrease the expression of mesenchymal markers
N-cadherin and snail, as well as down-regulate the expressions of
PCNA (proliferation marker), CD34 (angiogenesis marker). The As₂O₃-
mPEG-PLGA-PLL nanoparticles are an effective formulation for preventing lung
metastasis through reversing EMT progress after incomplete ablation, thus it has the potential to be a new
therapy strategy for HCC patients.