Effect of small interfering RNA targeting survivin gene on biological behaviour of bladder cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Gene Therapy

Background:

• Bladder cancer is a prevalent urinary system tumor often linked to cell cycle deregulation and apoptosis resistance.
• Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP), is frequently activated in bladder cancer, promoting proliferation and inhibiting cell death.
• This study investigates the impact of survivin-targeting small interfering RNA (siRNA) on bladder cancer cell behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of survivin-targeting siRNA in inhibiting bladder cancer cell growth.
• To assess the impact of survivin knockdown on apoptosis in bladder cancer cells.
• To explore the potential of siRNA-survivin as a gene therapy for bladder cancer.

Main Methods:

• siRNA targeting survivin was designed and synthesized.
• Bladder cancer cell line T24 was transfected with siRNA/liposome complexes at varying concentrations (50-200 nmol/L).
• Transfected cells and siRNA-survivin were administered intratumourally in vivo (5 µg or 50 µg) to xenografted animals.

Main Results:

• siRNA demonstrated dose- and time-dependent down-regulation of survivin mRNA, with maximal effect (75.91% reduction) at 100 nmol/L.
• Significant inhibition of cell growth (55.29%) and a marked increase in apoptosis (45.70%) were observed in vitro (P < 0.01).
• Intratumoural injection of 50 µg siRNA-survivin notably suppressed bladder cancer growth in vivo (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• siRNA-survivin effectively inhibits survivin expression in bladder cancer cells.
• This inhibition is achieved by inducing apoptosis and suppressing tumor growth.
• siRNA-survivin represents a promising new therapeutic strategy for bladder cancer gene therapy.