Evaluation of Sodium dicloroacetates effects on the growth of Ehrlich tumors on ascitic and solid forms

• Grant number: 14/04430-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2014
• End date: May 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Lucia Zaidan Dagli
• Grantee: Gabriela Fernandes de Toledo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Nowadays, cancer represents a major challenge for science and medical practice in man. As for the animals, the problem is no different: it is necessary to intensify research in Veterinary Oncology in all its aspects , particularly with regard to new treatments for cancers of animals. The DCA, dichloroacetic acid is a chemical compound, an acid, and an analogue of acetic acid in which two of the three hydrogen atoms of the methyl group have been replaced by chlorine atoms . The salt of dichloroacetic acid and esters are called dicloroacetatos. The sodium dichloroacetate ( DCA ) is under investigation as a possible treatment for cancer in man . This project aims to investigate the effects of sodium dichloroacetate ( DCA ) on the Ehrlich tumor in its ascitic and solid forms . The dichloroacetate will be obtained from Sigma and diluted in saline. Mice will be inoculated with a solution containing Ehrlich tumor cells in the peritoneal cavity. Treatment with DCA will follow in reported doses of 25 mg / kg , 75 mg / kg or 125 mg / kg by gavage. The growth of the tumor in ascitic form will be quantified after 10 days, and compared to tumor growth in mice that did not receive the DCA. Another group of mice will receive inoculum containing cells of the tumor in the footpad, and also receive daily solution containing DCA by gavage, the same doses mentioned. Tumor growth will be assessed by measurement of the thickness of the footpad for 10 days, and compared with tumor development in mice not treated with DCA. The footpads will be excised and histopathological examination will be held at the end of the experiment. It is intended, therefore, to evaluate the effects of DCA on tumor growth in vivo.