EFFECTS OF MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASE INHIBITOR BB-94 ON LIVER-CANCER GROWTH AND METASTASIS IN A PATIENT-LIKE ORTHOTOPIC MODEL LCI-D20

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to try to understand the ef fects of the synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor Batimastat ( BB-94) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODOLOGY: An orthotopic m etastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice model (LCI-D20) was used to study primary tumor growth, local invasion and metastasis of HCC. MTT assay was used to study the effects of BB-94 on cytotoxin and proliferation of HCC cell line SMMC-7721 in vitro. A gelatine zymo graph was used to study the expression of MMPs in the LCI-D20 tumor ti ssue. RESULTS: BB-94 can inhibit primary tumor growth, local invasion, intrahepatic and lung metastasis, as well as prolong survival. BB-94 did not affect the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro. LCI-D20 tumor tissue expresses MMP-2 and MMP-9. CONCLUSIONS: BB-94 has a cytostatic therapeutic effect on HCC.