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Adenovirus-mediated gene therapy for bladder cancer in an orthotopic model using a dominant negative H-ras mutant

T Watanabe1, N Shinohara, A Sazawa

  • 1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.

Insights

Gene therapy using adenovirus (AdCMV-N116Y) shows promise for treating bladder cancer by suppressing tumor growth and inducing apoptosis in preclinical models.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Gene Therapy
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Abnormal Ras function is implicated in bladder cancer development and progression.
  • Targeting Ras signaling pathways offers a potential therapeutic strategy for bladder cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of transurethral delivery of an adenovirus expressing a dominant-negative H-ras mutant (AdCMV-N116Y) against human bladder cancer xenografts in nude mice.
  • To assess the in vitro and in vivo anti-cancer effects of AdCMV-N116Y.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro studies using human bladder cancer cell lines (KU-7, UMUC-2) treated with AdCMV-N116Y or control adenovirus (AdCMV-LacZ).
  • In vivo studies involving orthotopic implantation of bladder cancer cells in nude mice, followed by transurethral administration of AdCMV-N116Y or AdCMV-LacZ.
  • Tumor growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, and histological analysis were assessed.

Main Results:

  • AdCMV-N116Y significantly suppressed in vitro bladder cancer cell growth (>95%) and induced apoptosis.
  • Transurethral inoculation of AdCMV-N116Y resulted in substantial reductions in tumor size (73-90%) and number (47-78%) in vivo.
  • Minimal inflammation was observed in the normal bladder mucosa of treated mice.

Conclusions:

  • Transurethral gene therapy with AdCMV-N116Y demonstrates significant therapeutic potential for human bladder cancer.
  • The dominant-negative H-ras mutant delivered via adenovirus is effective in inhibiting bladder tumor growth and progression.

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