Figure 8: Tumor volume of HeLa cervical cancers in post-treated mice. HeLa cells were injected S.C. into the mice indicating day zero. Next day, rAAV2-hIL15, rAAV2-hrGFP and PBS were injected I.M. to the mice, respectively. Tumor size was determined weekly. Eight mice were determined for each group.

Mentions: We examined next whether post-treated rAAV2-hIL15 has an anti-tumor effect. HeLa cells were first injected subcutaneously. in the lower abdominal region of the mice. The next day, these mice were given intramuscular injection of rAAV2-hIL15, rAAV2-hrGFP and PBS respectively. Before the 12th week, tumor sizes had no significant differences, but we found out that the tumor size was smaller in rAAV2-hIL15 treated-mice than in rAAV2-hrGFP-treated-mice and PBS-treated mice after 12 weeks (Figure 8). The result indicated that post-treated rAAV2-hIL15 could delay tumor growth. Altogether, our studies suggested pre-treated and post-treated rAAV2-hIL15 are a good approach for cancer gene therapy, yet pre-treated rAAV2-hIL15 is more efficient in inhibiting tumor growth.

Yiang GT, Harn HJ, Yu YL, Hu SC, Hung YT, Hsieh CJ, Lin SZ, Wei CW - J. Biomed. Sci. (2009)

Bottom Line: The recombinant adenovirus-associated vector 2 (rAAV2) is safer due to minimal cellular toxicity and immune response.In order to demonstrate that gene therapy can be used safely and successfully for human cancer treatment, the rAAV2 expressing hIL15 gene (rAAV2-hIL15) is applied for human cervical cancer, HeLa cell, in this study.In conclusion, our studies show that human cervical cancers are inhibited on animal model with rAAV2-hIL15 treatment and provide a safer and important reference for human cancer gene therapy.

Affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Nutrition, College of Medicine & Nursing, Hung Kuang University, Sha Lu, Taichung, Taiwan. jtyiang@ms73.hinet.net

Abstract: Human interleukin-15 (hIL15) has anti-tumor activities, but it is not convenient for tumor treatment because of its short half-life. A gene therapy for mouse lung cancer using an adenovirus vector expressing IL15 has been reported. However, adenovirus vector-mediated gene therapy can provoke cellular toxicity and inflammatory reactions. The recombinant adenovirus-associated vector 2 (rAAV2) is safer due to minimal cellular toxicity and immune response. In order to demonstrate that gene therapy can be used safely and successfully for human cancer treatment, the rAAV2 expressing hIL15 gene (rAAV2-hIL15) is applied for human cervical cancer, HeLa cell, in this study. This study successfully demonstrates that rAAV2-hIL15 can express IL15 with bioactivities in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our studies show that human cervical cancers are inhibited on animal model with rAAV2-hIL15 treatment and provide a safer and important reference for human cancer gene therapy.