Recently, nanotechnology has received great attention in war against cancer. The present study investigated the antitumor efficacy of molecularly imprinted nanopreparation of 5-fluorouracil (nano-5-FU) against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) solid tumors grown in mice. Tumor cells were transplanted into female albino mice. Mice were allocated into 5 groups; Group 1: control EAC bearing mice. Groups 2&3: EAC-bearing mice treated orally with 5-FU (5 and 10 mg/kg) twice weekly. Groups 4&5: EAC bearing mice treated with nano-5-FU (5 and 10 mg/kg) twice weekly. Treatment with nano-5-FU showed higher antitumor effect compared to free 5-FU as indicated by enhanced apoptosis and reduction in tumor weight. Additionally, lower number of mitotic figures and greater area for necrosis were observed in the tumor specimens alongside with a decline in the number of intratumoral proliferating nuclei in comparison to free 5-FU. Furthermore, the results showed a significant down-regulation in tumoral expression of caspase-3 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Together, these results further support the potential of using nanotechnology to enhance anticancer efficacy of 5-FU.

近来，纳米技术在对抗癌症的战争中受到了极大的关注。本研究调查了5-氟尿嘧啶（nano-5-FU）分子印迹纳米制剂对小鼠中生长的艾氏腹水癌（EAC）实体瘤的抗肿瘤作用。将肿瘤细胞移植到雌性白化病小鼠中。将小鼠分为5组。第1组：对照组携带EAC的小鼠。第2和第3组：每周两次接受5-FU（5和10 mg / kg）口服治疗的EAC小鼠。第4和第5组：每周两次接受nano-5-FU（5和10 mg / kg）处理的带有EAC的小鼠。纳米5-FU治疗与游离5-FU相比显示出更高的抗肿瘤作用，这可以通过增强细胞凋亡和减轻肿瘤重量来表明。此外，与游离5-FU相比，在肿瘤标本中观察到较少的有丝分裂图和更大的坏死面积，并且肿瘤内增殖核的数量减少。此外，结果显示，caspase-3和血管内皮生长因子的肿瘤表达显着下调。在一起，这些结果进一步支持了使用纳米技术增强5-FU抗癌功效的潜力。