Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 20, 2026

TRUE Gene Silencing: Screening of a Heptamer-type Small Guide RNA Library for Potential Cancer Therapeutic Agents
09:18

TRUE Gene Silencing: Screening of a Heptamer-type Small Guide RNA Library for Potential Cancer Therapeutic Agents

Published on: June 2, 2016

[Survivin antisense RNA enhances taxol-induced apoptosis in leukemia cell line HL-60]

Xiao-juan Wang1, Guo-yi Dai, Li-min Cao

  • 1Department of Immunology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Techonology, Wuhan 430030, China.

Zhonghua Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Xueyexue Zazhi
|August 28, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Survivin antisense RNA enhances taxol-induced apoptosis in leukemia cells (HL-60). This finding supports the potential of gene therapy for leukemia treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Survivin is a key protein involved in cell survival and resistance to apoptosis.
  • Taxol is a chemotherapy drug that induces apoptosis in cancer cells.
  • Leukemia cell line HL-60 is a common model for studying leukemia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of survivin antisense RNA on taxol-induced apoptosis in HL-60 leukemia cells.
  • To determine if survivin inhibition sensitizes leukemia cells to taxol treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Transfection of HL-60 cells with a survivin antisense eukaryotic vector (pcDNA3-SVVas).
  • Assessment of cell viability using trypan blue dye exclusion and MTT assays.
  • Detection of apoptosis via DNA gel electrophoresis and nuclear staining.

Main Results:

  • HL-60 cells transfected with survivin antisense RNA (HL-60 SVVas) exhibited significantly reduced growth compared to control cells.
  • The IC(50) of taxol was significantly lower in HL-60 SVVas cells (14.4 ng/ml) than in control cells (HL-60 neo and HL-60, approx. 32 ng/ml).
  • DNA laddering and nuclear condensation, indicative of apoptosis, were observed in HL-60 SVVas cells but not in control cells.

Conclusions:

  • Survivin antisense RNA significantly enhances taxol-induced apoptosis in HL-60 leukemia cells.
  • This study provides an experimental basis for exploring gene therapy strategies targeting survivin in leukemia treatment.

More Related Videos

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics06:00

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics

Published on: May 14, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...