Efeito do anticorpo anti-TNF-α, infliximabe, sobre a mucosite intestinal experimental induzida por irinotecano

Abstract

Introduction: Intestinal mucositis (IM) is a common limiting side effect of anticancer therapy with irinotecan. Previous studies have reported the involvement of cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β e IL-18 in the pathogenesis of irinotecan-induced IM, besides demonstrating that nonselective inhibitors of cytokines such as pentoxifylline, attenuate chemotherapy-induced IM. The role of cytokines is well established in the context of inflammatory bowel disease. It is used in clinical practice treatments that target inflammatory cascade components, for example, the anti-TNF monoclonal antibody, infliximab, which has a beneficial effect in the treatment of Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. There is a lack of information regarding the effect of selective cytokine target therapy on anticancer drug toxicity. Aims: To investigate the protective role of a selective TNF-α inhibitor, infliximab, on irinotecan-induced IM. Methods: C57BL6 mice were divided into groups (n=5-9) and treated for 4 days with saline (5 mL/kg, i.p.) or irinotecan (75 mg/kg/4 days, i.p) or were given infliximabe (5 mg/kg, e.v, single dose) 1 hour before the first irinotecan injection. Body weight and mortality were assessed daily. On the 5th day the diarrhea was evaluated using scores and the blood was collected for white blood cell count (WBC). After euthanasia, samples of duodenum was collected for myeloperoxydase assay, tissue IL-1β dosage, western blot (WB) of the inducible nitric oxide synthase, morphometric analysis and in vitro evaluation of duodenal contractility. Results: Irinotecan induced IM demonstrated by the significant (p<0,05) increase in diarrhea, decrease in length and area of the villi increased MPO activity, increased IL-1β dosage and expression of iNOS and intestinal smooth muscle over-contractility when compared with saline treated group. The group treated with irinotecan also presented leucopenia, when compared with control group. The group treated with infliximab previously to irinotecan showed a significant improvement of inflammatory parameters (MPO activity, IL-1β, expression of iNOS), when compared withn irinotecan-treated group. However, animal weight loss, mortality and gut disfunction (diarrhea and intestinal contractility) were not affected by infliximab treatment (p>0,05). Conclusion: The results suggest for the first time the proeminent anti-inflammatory effect of the target therapy anti-TNF-α with infliximab on irinotecan-induced IM. However, such treatment did not alter the survival and did not protect against intestinal dysfunction in irinotecan-induced IM. Additionally accentuated leukopenia induced by irinotecan, which can increase the risk of infections.