Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Orthotopic Transplantation of Breast Tumors as Preclinical Models for Breast Cancer
07:45

Orthotopic Transplantation of Breast Tumors as Preclinical Models for Breast Cancer

Published on: May 18, 2020

7.0K

Transfection with p21 and p53 tumor suppressor plasmids suppressed breast tumor growth in syngeneic mouse model

Nabilah Ibnat1, Nur Izyani Kamaruzman1, Maeirah Ashaie1

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Australia.

Gene
|March 23, 2019
PubMed

Insights

This study shows that delivering tumor suppressor plasmids p21 and p53 using nanoparticles effectively reduces breast cancer cell growth. In vivo studies confirmed significant tumor volume reduction in mice treated with these nanoparticle-delivered gene therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Gene therapy offers a promising avenue for breast cancer treatment.
  • Tumor suppressor genes like p21 and p53 play crucial roles in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis.
  • Effective delivery of therapeutic plasmids to cancer cells remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of inorganic carbonate apatite nanoparticles (NPs) for delivering p21 and p53 tumor suppressor plasmids into breast cancer cells.
  • To assess the impact of combined p21 and p53 gene delivery on breast cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • Transfection of p21 and p53 tumor suppressor plasmids into breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, 4T1) using carbonate apatite nanoparticles.
  • Cytotoxicity assays to measure cell growth inhibition.
  • Western blot analysis to examine the expression of MAPK/ERK pathway proteins.
  • In vivo studies using a syngeneic breast cancer mouse model to evaluate tumor growth reduction.

Main Results:

  • Combined delivery of p21 and p53 plasmids via NPs significantly reduced cell growth in MDA-MB-231 cells compared to single gene delivery.
  • Significant reduction in cellular growth was observed in MCF-7 and 4T1 cell lines following p21 or p53 plasmid transfection.
  • NP-mediated delivery of p21 and p53 suppressed the phosphorylated form of MAPK protein in MDA-MB-231 cells.
  • Intravenous injection of p21 + NP and p53 + NP therapeutics led to a greater reduction in tumor growth rate and final tumor volume in mice.

Conclusions:

  • Carbonate apatite nanoparticles are effective carriers for delivering tumor suppressor plasmids p21 and p53 in breast cancer treatment.
  • Combined gene therapy with p21 and p53 shows enhanced efficacy in reducing breast cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth.
  • This nanoparticle-mediated gene delivery approach holds potential for developing novel breast cancer therapeutics.
Keywords:
Breast cancerCarbonate apatite nanoparticleGene therapyTransgeneTumor regressionTumor suppressor

More Related Videos

Orthotopic Injection of Breast Cancer Cells into the Mammary Fat Pad of Mice to Study Tumor Growth.07:52

Orthotopic Injection of Breast Cancer Cells into the Mammary Fat Pad of Mice to Study Tumor Growth.

Published on: February 8, 2015

81.0K
Utilizing High Resolution Ultrasound to Monitor Tumor Onset and Growth in Genetically Engineered Pancreatic Cancer Models06:57

Utilizing High Resolution Ultrasound to Monitor Tumor Onset and Growth in Genetically Engineered Pancreatic Cancer Models

Published on: April 7, 2018

11.4K

Related Concept Videos

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
5.9K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
9.4K
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
1.8K
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
7.3K
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
7.7K