Antitumor effect of recombinant human interferon-β adenovirus on esophageal squamous cell cancer in vitro

M Qi1, D Lu, Y Li

  • 1Affiliated Luoyang Central Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Luoyang.

Insights

Gene therapy using adenovirus delivered human interferon-beta (IFN-β) gene to esophageal cancer cells, inhibiting tumor growth and inducing apoptosis. This approach shows promise for treating esophageal carcinoma.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Gene Therapy
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Interferon-beta (IFN-β) exhibits potent antitumor effects but faces clinical limitations due to short half-life and systemic toxicity.
  • Gene therapy presents a potential strategy to overcome these limitations for IFN-β delivery.
  • Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma remains a significant health concern requiring novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of gene therapy using adenovirus vectors to deliver the human IFN-β gene into esophageal carcinoma cells.
  • To evaluate the in vitro antitumor activity of human IFN-β gene therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma KYSE150 cells.
  • To assess the impact of gene therapy on tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Adenovirus vector carrying the human IFN-β gene was used for transfection into KYSE150 cells.
  • Human IFN-β expression was confirmed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry.
  • Antiproliferative effects were assessed via cell growth and clonogenic assays.
  • Apoptosis was quantified using flow cytometry.

Main Results:

  • Successful transfection and expression of human IFN-β in KYSE150 cells were confirmed by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry.
  • Significant inhibition of tumor cell proliferation was observed in cells treated with the IFN-β gene therapy.
  • Flow cytometry revealed a substantial increase in apoptosis, with 27.3% in the IFN-β group compared to 1.12% in the empty vector control group.

Conclusions:

  • Recombinant adenovirus-mediated delivery of the human IFN-β gene demonstrates significant in vitro antitumor activity against human esophageal carcinoma cells.
  • The observed antitumor effect is associated with the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells.
  • This gene therapy approach holds potential for the treatment of esophageal carcinoma.

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