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Published on: June 2, 2026
Intratumoral Administration of Recombinant Murine Interleukin-12 Prevents Tumor Progression and Bone Invasion
Shun Kasahara1, Miki Kashiwagi1, Toshihiro Inubushi2
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graduate School of Dentistry, The University of Osaka, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
Objective:
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) frequently invades the mandibular bone, leading to metastasis and poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of locally administered interleukin-12 (IL-12) using an immunocompetent mouse model mimicking the clinical features of mandibular bone invasion.
Methods:
The effects of IL-12 on tumor growth and bone resorption were evaluated using subcutaneous and bone invasion models of OSCC in both immunocompetent and athymic mice. Bone resorption was assessed by micro-computed tomography (CT). In addition, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to quantify the expression of osteoclast markers (Acp5, Ctsk) and immune-related genes (Ifng, Fasl).
Results:
Intratumoral injection of recombinant murine IL-12 (r-mIL-12) significantly prolonged mouse survival and suppressed tumor growth in immunocompetent mice. Micro-CT revealed reduced bone resorption in the r-mIL-12-treated group. Consistently, qPCR demonstrated downregulation of Acp5 and Ctsk, along with upregulation of Ifng and Fasl compared to controls. In contrast, r-mIL-12 treatment had no significant effect on tumor growth or bone resorption in athymic mice, underscoring the importance of T cells in controlling bone invasion.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that local administration of r-mIL-12 may serve as an effective therapeutic approach for OSCC with mandibular bone invasion.
