The cryoablation study of rabbit VX2 pancreatic carcinoma

Objective To establish an appropriate animal model of pancreatic cancer, and choose the most suitable laparotomy. Methods To establish a VX2 pancreatic cancer model, VX2 tumor tissues were inoculated into rabbit pancreases. The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups by randomized block method: Control group, Group A (intraoperative frozen range includes pancreatic tumor and peritumoral tissues), Group B (intraoperative frozen range was as big as the tumor), and Group C (intraoperative frozen range was smaller than the tumor). Monitoring serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE), C-reaction protein (CRP) and amylase (AMY) levels before and after surgery and record survival in each group to seek the most appropriate method. Results The VX2 pancreatic carcinoma model was successfully established, NSE levels increased to (88.43±15.25) ng/ml after inoculation 28 d. NSE of group A, B and C significantly increased to (27.31±4.28), (23.64±6.82) and (19.49±2.49) ng/ml at Day 1 after cryosurgery, decreased at Day 3, gradually reduced to normal levels after Day 7. The median survival of control group, group A, group B and group C was 29, 40, 52, 35 d. Compared with Control group, rabbits in Group A and C had no significant difference in survival time (P=0.080), but Group B significantly prolonged the survival time (P=0.040, 0.030, 0.010). Conclusion VX2 pancreatic cancer model was successfully established with NSE as a tumnor marker. Group B may be a suitable option for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. Key words: VX2; Pancreatic carcinoma; Rabbit model; Cryoablation; Laparotomy