In vivo assessment of imoxide and diluted vitamin C’s inhibitory effects on cervical cancer in mice

Objective(s): Cervical cancer, the fourth most common malignancy among women, is strongly associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Emerging evidence suggests that hydrogen peroxide, alongside standard therapies, may enhance treatment. This study investigated the effects of Imoxide (0.5% hydrogen peroxide compound) and diluted vitamin C on tumor growth in the TC-1 papillomavirus mouse model. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 100 mg/ml vitamin C was assessed using the MTT assay on TC-1 cells. Six-week-old female C57BL/6 mice were used to establish TC-1 tumor models in groups by grafting. Mice were divided into seven groups: intratumoral (IT) control, intraperitoneal (IP) control, IP Imoxide, IT Imoxide, cisplatin, IP vitamin C, and IT vitamin C. Tumor size was measured every other day. Histopathological analysis and real-time PCR were conducted to evaluate gene expression (P53, P21, BAX, BCL-2). Results: Dilutions of 10⁻³ and 10⁻⁴ of hydrogen peroxide resulted in cell survival rates of 53.7% and 58.8%, respectively. Imoxide markedly inhibited tumor growth in vivo, in some groups exceeding cisplatin. Histological findings showed limited apoptotic features. Gene-expression analysis revealed no statistically significant differences after multiple-testing correction.Conclusion: Imoxide substantially suppressed tumor growth in the murine model; however, modulation of apoptosis-related genes was minimal, suggesting that non-apoptotic pathways may contribute to its antitumor effects.