Examining the Efficacy of a Topical Nutrition Therapy for Endothelial Cell Tumors

Abstract

Endothelial cell (EC) tumors are the most common soft-tissue tumors in infants and children. Their spontaneity in regional development and capacity can have detrimental effects on their hosts. Hemangioma tumor occurrence is markedly higher in Caucasian children, as nearly 10% of Caucasian children will incur EC tumors compared to other ethnicities. Although these EC tumors are classified as benign, the body’s natural immune response will reach an intermediate grade malignancy, due to their potential to develop Kassabach-Merritt phenomenon. Without resolution, the tumor leads to anemia, heart failure, and excessive bleeding. Tumors with Kassabach-Merritt phenomenon have a mortality rate of 30%. Current treatment options include high dose steroids, and when used over the course of several months, these drugs pose life-threatening toxicity to their patients. This is a great danger. It is necessary to develop a nutraceutical therapy to provide a non-invasive alternative to the current methods of EC tumor care. A mouse model which can form KHE in 129 P/3 mice was discovered, effectively modeling the human form of this tumor. Subcutaneously injected with the tumor cells, these mice form tumors with 100% efficiency. A major component of these tumors is serious inflammation, triggered by reactive oxygen species. With redox sensitive transcription factors promoting tumor proliferation, berry extracts represent a viable therapeutic approach. In this experiment, antioxidants were tested via direct topical application. Analysis via lifespan length comparison, volumetric measurement, and comparative fluorescent protein content with Ki-67 and Collagen-1 has given promising results. Tumor size has decreased in the treatment group, as well as tumor rigidity and cell proliferation as shown by protein fluorescence. Additionally, lifespans of mice with treated tumors were significantly longer than those left untreated. The preliminary results show significant success of this treatment, which could lead to the production of a non-invasive therapeutic option.