Cancer targeting gene-viro-therapy for pancreatic cancer using oncolytic adenovirus ZD55-IL-24 in immune-competent mice

Mol Biol Rep. 2013 Sep;40(9):5397-405. doi: 10.1007/s11033-013-2638-8. Epub 2013 May 11.

Abstract

Cancer targeting gene-viro-therapy (CTGVT) may prove to be an effective treatment for pancreatic cancer (PC). This study was intended to explore the anti-tumor effect of ZD55-IL-24 (oncolytic adenovirus ZD55 harboring IL-24) on PC in immune-competent mice. The expression of gene harbored by oncolytic adenovirus ZD55 in PC cells was detected by reporter-gene assays. The in vitro anti PC ability of ZD55-IL-24 was tested by MTT, crystal violet staining and apoptosis assays. The in vivo anti PC effect of ZD55-IL-24 was further observed in an immune-competent mice model by detecting anti-tumor immunity and induction of apoptosis. The expression of gene harbored by ZD55 in PC cells was significantly higher than that harbored by the replicated-deficient adenovirus, and the amount of gene expression was time-dependent and dose-dependent. Both ZD55-IL-24 and ZD55 inhibited PC cells growth, but the anti-tumor effect of ZD55-IL-24 was significantly stronger than that of ZD55, and the ability of ZD55-IL-24 in inducing PC apoptosis was significantly stronger than that of ZD55. The tumor-forming rate of group ZD55-IL-24 was the lowest, and the tumor-growing rate was also significantly lower than that of group ZD55 in immune-competent PC models. Moreover, ZD55-IL-24 mediated more anti-cancer immunity effects by induction of stronger T-lymphocytes response to PC cells, higher levels of γ-IFN and IL-6 cytokines. ZD55-IL-24-mediated CTGVT could inhibit PC growth not only by inducing oncolysis and apoptosis but enhancing the anti-cancer immune effects by inducing T cell response to PC and up-regulating γ-IFN and IL-6 cytokine in immune-competent mice. This may serve as a candidate therapeutic approach for the treatment of PC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Gentian Violet
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interleukins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Oncolytic Virotherapy / methods*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / immunology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Thiazoles

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Interleukins
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Thiazoles
  • interleukin-24
  • Interferon-gamma
  • thiazolyl blue
  • Gentian Violet