| Author: | Chan, Kit-ying |
| Title: | The effect of Huachansu Injection as an anti-cancer immunomodulatory traditional Chinese medicine on natural killer cells in mouse cancer model with intact immunity |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Subject: | Medicine, Chinese. Cancer -- Treatment. Killer cells. Natural immunity. Immunotherapy. Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Department of Health Technology and Informatics |
| Pages: | xiv, 102 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Neoplastic malignancies are the major causes of death worldwide. With the advancement of medical technologies, cancer patients can be treated once the malignant tumors have been diagnosed. Chemotherapy and radiation are the common anti-cancer treatments that can directly destroy the cancer cells. However, these destructive cancer therapies not only kill the cancer cells, but also impact on healthy tissues and cause unpleasant side effects. For these reasons, many patients seek alternatives to mitigate the negative impacts brought by the extant cancer treatments. In many circumstances, many cancer patients seek help from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Indeed, the immune system functions recognize and eradicate nascent tumor cells before they cause harm to the body. Still, some tumor cells are able to escape from immune recognition, especially in immunocompromised patients. Their weakened immune systems allow tumor to grow. Thus, immune system enhancement may be one way it prevents cancer. Immunomodulation is a therapeutic approach in which substances, usually administrative drugs, are used to regulate the immune response. Huachansu Injection (HSCI) is a TCM prepared from dried toad skin, and has been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) for treatment of various malignancies in China. Moreover, according to the previous studies, HCSI and its bioactive constituents, including bufalin and telocinobufagin exhibited anti-tumor activities and immunomodulatory properties. In this study, the anti-cancer immunomodulatory effect of HCSI on Natural Killer (NK) cells was investigated. Thirty-two male mice were transplanted with tumor cells, while 7 mice without tumors, served as the healthy control group (Blank, n=7). The tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, including Model (n=8), Vehicle (n=8), Low Dose (n=8) and High Dose (n=8). Specifically, no treatment was applied to the Model group, and the Vehicle, Low Dose and High Dose groups were given an intraperitoneal injection of with physiological saline, a low dose of HCSI (15 μL/g) and a high dose of HCSI (40 μL/g), respectively. After 12 days of treatment, the mice were sacrificed and their peripheral blood was collected. NK cells and their subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry; the absolute counts of NK cells and the subsets were obtained. Our results demonstrated that HSCI was effective in inhibiting tumor growth in the mouse-cancer model. Tumor inhibition rates in the Low Dose and High Dose groups were 35% and 58%, respectively. HCSI had no statistical significant effect on circulating NK cells and their subsets. From our data, we noted that high dose of HCSI treatment had a minor change in NK cell antigenic phenotypes which infer the possible changes in effector function of NK cells. A mild shifting in NK cell phenotype can deduce the NK cells from the High Dose group appeared to be less cytotoxic and had better cytokine production. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b24578770.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 4.97 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/6237