Effects of antineoplastic agents on wound healing in mice

Abstract

The influence of antineoplastic agents on wound healing was evaluated in an experimental model employing surgical incisions in the skin of mice. A single injection in the therapeutic dose range of various clinically active antitumor agents was administered immediately following operation and the breaking strength of skin wounds was measured 3, 7, and 21 days later. Vincristine and methotrexate decreased wound strength at 3 days but not on days 7 or 21. Actinomycin D interfered with early phases of wound healing and had less effect on later phases. Treatment with bleomycin had no effect on wound strength at days 3 or 21 but prevented an increase in wound strength from day 3 to day 7; 1,3-bis(2-choroethyl)-1-nitrosurea (BCNU) decreased wound strength at all time points after operation, whereas 5-Fluorouracil had no significant effect at any time. The presence of a large tumor mass had no direct effect on wound strength nor did it modify the effect on wound strength of an antineoplastic agent, cyclophosphamide. These findings are discussed, taking into account the experimental and clinical literature on the effects of antitumor drugs on wound healing.