[IL-12 gene treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: experimental study].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the inhibitory effects of retrovirus vector containing IL-12 gene on hepatoma growth in vivo and to explore a new approach of gene therapy to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).


METHODS
Retrovirus vector containing IL-12 gene was constructed and transfected into packaged cell PA317. Positive PA317 was injected into the rat which suffered from experimental HCC and its anti-tumor effects and immunity changes were recorded.


RESULTS
The packaged cell PA317 containing IL-12 gene could inhibit the proliferation of hepatocellular cell line CBRH3. The rats injected at day 1 or 3 can survive permanently, while those injected at day 5 or 7 can survive longer than those not injected. However, tumor generated in rats injected with blank control or package cells containing retroviral vector without IL-12 gene (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Package cells transfected with retroviral vector containing IL-12 either injected to the hepatoma tissue locally or given splenic exercises anti-hepatoma effects efficiently. The direct intrasplenic injection route is new, safe and effective.
Yang
J
J
Tumor Immunology and Gene Therapy Center, Eastern Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Shanghai 200438.
Qian
Q
Q
Xue
H
H
Cao
H
H
Cui
Z
Z
Shi
W
W
Yang
G
G
Wu
M
M
D000818:Animals; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000628:therapy*; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection / Q000379:methods
D018664:Interleukin-12