Virus-free transfer of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene followed by ganciclovir treatment induces tumor cell death

We report virus-free transfer of a "suicide" gene into tumoral cells. The system can be used in vitro or in vivo to induce tumor cell death. A plasmid carrying the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene with its 5'- and 3'-flanking regions was used both alone and in...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical cancer research 1996-01, Vol.2 (1), p.47-51
Main Authors: CALVEZ, V, RIXE, O, WANG, P, MOUAWAD, R, SOUBRANE, C, GHOUMARI, A, VEROLA, O, KHAYAT, D, COLBERE-GARAPIN, F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antineoplastic agents
Biological and medical sciences
Cell Death
Ganciclovir
Ganciclovir - therapeutic use
Gene Transfer Techniques
General aspects
Genetic Therapy
Life Sciences
Liposomes
Medical sciences
Melanoma, Experimental
Melanoma, Experimental - pathology
Melanoma, Experimental - therapy
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Plasmids
Simplexvirus
Simplexvirus - enzymology
Thymidine Kinase
Thymidine Kinase - genetics
Tumor Cells, Cultured
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We report virus-free transfer of a "suicide" gene into tumoral cells. The system can be used in vitro or in vivo to induce tumor cell death. A plasmid carrying the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene with its 5'- and 3'-flanking regions was used both alone and in liposomes to transduce B16 cells. In vitro, a 5-day treatment with ganciclovir after transfection with the HSV-TK gene in liposomes induced a significant lysis of B16 melanoma cells as assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test. The efficacy of transfection was determined using liposomes harboring the beta-galactosidase reporter gene and was around 10%. Thus, the cytotoxicity observed resulted presumably from a large bystander effect. In vivo, direct transfer of the TK DNA into established B16 melanoma tumors in C57B6 mice followed by i.p. ganciclovir treatment induced a 50% reduction of tumor weight after 8 days and an increased necrosis. Despite the use of the nonspecific strong TK promoter, no necrosis was detected in normal tissues surrounding the tumor or elsewhere. Thus, this system of tumor transfection, which does not involve any viral vector, is safe and straightforward and seems to be suitable for testing in clinical trials.
ISSN:1078-0432
1557-3265