Adenoviral-mediated gene therapy of human bladder cancer with antisense interleukin-8

We previously demonstrated the importance of interleukin-8 (IL-8) as a mediator of angiogenesis, tumorigenicity, and metastasis of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility of adenoviral mediated antisense IL-8 gene transfer (Ad IL-8-AS) as therapy for established TCC. In vitro, Ad IL-8-AS inhibited endothelial cell proliferation and enhanced endothelial cell apoptosis. The highly metastatic human TCC cell line 253J B-V(R) was implanted into the subcutis of athymic nude mice, and intralesional therapy with Ad IL-8-AS commenced when the tumors reached a diameter between 5 and 7 mm. Tumor growth was significantly inhibited compared with therapy in controls (saline and beta-galactosidase adenovirus). Ad IL-8-AS therapy decreased the in vivo expression of IL-8 and matrix metalloproteinase type 9 (MMP-9), reduced microvessel density, and enhanced endothelial cell apoptosis. These results indicate that Ad IL-8-AS therapy targets both tumor cells and host endothelial cells resulting in endothelial cell apoptosis and significant inhibition of tumor growth.