Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
A Syngeneic Mouse Model of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma for Quantitative and Longitudinal Assessment of Preclinical Therapies
Published on: April 12, 2017
Application of the interferon minipellet to human renal cell carcinoma in nude mice
Background:
The interferon (IFN) minipellet is a sustained-release formulation of human lymphoblastoid IFN, with atelocollagen used as the carrier material. We evaluated the antitumor effect of the IFN minipellet on an established human renal cell carcinoma cell line (KU-2) transplanted in nude mice.
Methods:
The treatment was started when tumor nodules had grown to 6 to 8 mm in diameter. The IFN minipellet, or an aqueous solution of IFN, was given by subcutaneous injection, or peritumor injection, on days 1 and 10. Antitumor effects were evaluated according to tumor weights calculated as (long diameter) x (short diameter)2/2 in 7 groups consisting of 6 mice each.
Results:
IFN levels remained detectable in both tumor tissue and serum up to 10 days after peritumor injection of the IFN minipellet. Administered by the peritumor route, the IFN minipellet inhibited growth of the tumor significantly as compared with tumor growth in the untreated mice. The IFN minipellet showed greater inhibition of tumor growth by peritumor injection compared to subcutaneous injection. The aqueous solution of IFN was not effective either by subcutaneous or by peritumoral injection.
Conclusion:
Results indicate that the IFN minipellet is useful in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.
Insights
The interferon (IFN) minipellet effectively inhibited renal cell carcinoma growth in mice. Peritumoral injection of the sustained-release IFN formulation demonstrated significant antitumor effects, unlike the standard IFN solution.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Interferon (IFN) minipellet is a sustained-release formulation utilizing atelocollagen.
- Evaluated the antitumor efficacy of this novel IFN delivery system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the antitumor effect of the IFN minipellet on human renal cell carcinoma xenografts.
- To compare the efficacy of peritumoral versus subcutaneous administration of the IFN minipellet.
Main Methods:
- Human renal cell carcinoma (KU-2) xenografts were established in nude mice.
- Treatment involved subcutaneous or peritumoral injection of IFN minipellet or aqueous IFN solution on days 1 and 10.
- Tumor weights were measured to evaluate antitumor effects.
Main Results:
- IFN minipellet maintained detectable IFN levels in tumor tissue and serum for up to 10 days post-peritumoral injection.
- Peritumoral administration of IFN minipellet significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to controls.
- IFN minipellet showed superior efficacy via peritumoral injection over subcutaneous injection; aqueous IFN was ineffective.
Conclusions:
- The interferon (IFN) minipellet demonstrates significant potential as a localized treatment for renal cell carcinoma.
- Sustained-release IFN delivery via minipellet, particularly with peritumoral injection, offers a promising therapeutic strategy.
