BMC Cancer (May 2022)

Development and technical validation of an ultrasound nebulizer to deliver intraperitoneal pressurized aerosols in a rat colon cancer peritoneal metastases model

  • Jonathan R. Buggisch,
  • Daniel Göhler,
  • Julien Sobilo,
  • Stéphanie Lerondel,
  • Günther A. Rezniczek,
  • Michael Stintz,
  • Andreas Rudolph,
  • Nicolas Tabchouri,
  • Sébastien Roger,
  • Mehdi Ouaissi,
  • Urs Giger-Pabst

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-022-09668-0
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 1
pp. 1 – 13

Abstract

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Abstract Background/aim To develop and validate a nebulizer device for anti-cancer research on pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol supply in a preclinical peritoneal metastases (PM) rat model. Material and methods For aerosol generation, an ultrasonic nebulizer (USN) was modified. Aerosol analyses were performed ex-vivo by laser diffraction spectrometry (LDS). Intraperitoneal (IP) 99mtechnetium sodium pertechnetate (99mTc) aerosol distribution and deposition were quantified by in-vivo single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and compared to liquid IP instillation of equivalent volume/doses of 99mTc with and without capnoperitoneum. PM was induced by IP injection of HCT116-Luc2 human colon cancer cells in immunosuppressed RNU rats. Tumor growth was monitored by bioluminescence imaging (BLI), 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) and tissues examination at necropsy. Results The USN was able to establish a stable and reproducible capnoperitoneum at a pressure of 8 to 10 mmHg. LDS showed that the USN provides a polydisperse and monomodal aerosol with a volume-weighted diameter of 2.6 μm. At a CO2 flow rate of 2 L/min with an IP residence time of 3.9 s, the highest drug deposition efficiency was found to be 15 wt.-%. In comparison to liquid instillation, nebulization showed the most homogeneous IP spatial drug deposition. Compared to BLI, 18F-FDG-PET was more sensitive to detect smaller PM nodules measuring only 1–2 mm in diameter. BLI, 18F-FDG PET and necropsy analyses showed relevant PM in all animals. Conclusions The USN together with the PM rat model are suitable for robust and species-specific preclinical pharmacological studies regarding intraperitoneal delivery of pressurized aerosolized drugs and cancer research.

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