Efficient gene transfer to human squamous cell carcinomas by the herpes simplex virus type 1 amplicon vector.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluates the efficiency of herpes simplex virus (HSV) mediated gene transfer in human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines in vitro and in vivo when delivered by selective intra-arterial perfusion.


METHODS
Human head and neck SCC were exposed to HSV-LacZ and HSV-interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gene transfer and expression assessed by X-gal staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Hamster cheek pouch tumors were perfused with HSV-LacZ or HSV-IL-2, by microcannulating the external carotid artery, and gene transfer determined.


RESULTS
A ratio of 5 viral particles per tumor cell achieved gene transfer rates exceeding 50%. Interleukin-2 levels of 287 +/- 17 to 424 +/- 8.4 ng per million cells were achieved at a ratio of 2 viral particles per tumor cell. Selective intra-arterial perfusion of the HSV-IL-2 vector yielded IL-2 levels of 45.8 +/- 17.0 pg per g tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
HSV amplicon vectors are efficient vehicles for gene transfer in vitro in human head and neck SCC cell lines and in vivo when introduced by selective intra-arterial perfusion.
Carew
J F
JF
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Federoff
H
H
Halterman
M
M
Kraus
D H
DH
Savage
H
H
Sacks
P G
PG
Schantz
S P
SP
Shah
J P
JP
Fong
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D006224:Cricetinae; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D007376:Interleukin-2