Using porous cell culture chambers, we have simultaneously assessed growth and locomotion of
cancer cells to investigate whether certain agents affect cell motility in addition to cell division. First, cells from a murine
fibrosarcoma cell line, 1.0/L1, were grown in ordinary flask cultures to determine appropriate cell inocula. Doses of agents were selected to reduce the final 4 day culture cellularity to about 50%, when present during the last two days of culturing. Secondly, the effects of these agents on cell numbers in the porous chambers and on cell migration out of the chambers ('emigration fraction') were recorded. We also examined, using a similar type of porous chamber, whether the agents could affect leucocyte chemotaxis.
Hydroxyurea (an inhibitor of
DNA synthesis) reduced
cancer cell emigration as well as cell growth, without interfering with leucocyte chemotaxis.
Cytochalasin B (a microfilament disrupting agent) inhibited
cancer cell motility and growth, as well as leucocyte chemotaxis.
Vinblastine (a microtubule disrupting agent), at the very low dose chosen, reduced
cancer cell growth, but did not consistently affect the migration of either cell type. The experimental anti-
metastasis agent
Razoxane reduced growth, but had no detectable effects on motility. High doses of natural murine
interferon-alpha/beta weakly inhibited both
cancer cell growth and locomotion. This motivates for further studies of these and other
cytokines, as treatment with agents inhibiting
cancer cell locomotion might possibly prevent peri-operative spread of
cancer in patients.