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Updated: May 21, 2026

Kinetic Screening of Nuclease Activity using Nucleic Acid Probes
Published on: November 1, 2019
Tumoricidal Activity of RNase A and DNase I
O A Patutina1, N L Mironova, E I Ryabchikova
1Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences.
Abstract:
In our work the antitumor and antimetastatic activities of RNase A and DNase I were studied using two murine models of pulmonary (Lewis lung carcinoma) and liver (hepatoma A-1) metastases. We found that intramuscular administration of RNase A at the dose range of 0.1-50 µ g/kg retarded the primary tumor growth by 20-40%, and this effect disappeared with the increase in RNase A dose over 0.5 mg/kg. DNase I showed no effect on the primary tumor growth. The intramuscular administration of RNase A (0.35-7 µ g/kg) or DNase I (0.02-2.3 mg/kg) resulted in a considerable decrease in the metastasis number into the lungs of animals with Lewis lung carcinoma and a decrease of the hepatic index of animals with hepatoma 1A. A histological analysis of the organs occupied by metastases revealed that the administration of RNase A and DNase I induced metastasis pathomorphism as manifested by the destruction of oncocytes, an increase in necrosis and apoptosis foci in metastases, and mononuclear infiltration. Our data indicated that RNase A and DNase I are highly promising as supplementary therapeutics for the treatment of metastasizing tumors.
Insights
Ribonuclease A (RNase A) and Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) show significant antitumor and antimetastatic effects. These enzymes reduced tumor growth and metastasis in preclinical models, suggesting potential as supplementary cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Metastatic tumors pose a significant challenge in cancer treatment.
- Enzymes like RNase A and DNase I have potential therapeutic applications.
- Understanding their effects on tumor metastasis is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antitumor and antimetastatic activities of RNase A and DNase I.
- To investigate the effects of these enzymes on Lewis lung carcinoma and hepatoma 1A models.
- To determine the optimal dosage and efficacy of RNase A and DNase I in reducing tumor metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Murine models of pulmonary (Lewis lung carcinoma) and liver (hepatoma A-1) metastases were utilized.
- Intramuscular administration of varying doses of RNase A and DNase I.
- Assessment of primary tumor growth, metastasis number, and hepatic index.
- Histological analysis of metastatic organs to evaluate cellular changes.
Main Results:
- RNase A (0.1-50 µg/kg) retarded primary tumor growth by 20-40%, with optimal effect at lower doses.
- DNase I did not affect primary tumor growth.
- Both RNase A and DNase I significantly decreased lung and liver metastases.
- Histological analysis revealed induced pathomorphism, increased necrosis/apoptosis, and mononuclear infiltration in metastases.
Conclusions:
- RNase A and DNase I demonstrate promising antimetastatic activities.
- These enzymes induce significant pathological changes in metastatic tumor cells.
- RNase A and DNase I are potential supplementary therapeutics for metastasizing tumors.
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