Successful adenovirus-mediated wild-type p53 gene transfer in patients with bladder cancer by intravesical vector instillation.
OBJECTIVE
To study safety, feasibility, and biologic activity of adenovirus-mediated p53 gene transfer in patients with bladder cancer.


METHODS
Twelve patients with histologically confirmed bladder cancer scheduled for cystectomy were treated on day 1 with a single intratumoral injection of SCH 58500 (rAd/p53) at cystoscopy at one dose level (7.5 x 10(11) particles) or a single intravesical instillation of SCH 58500 with a transduction-enhancing agent (Big CHAP) at three dose levels (7.5 x 10(11) to 7.5 x 10(13) particles). Cystectomies were performed in 11 patients on day 3, and transgene expression, vector distribution, and biologic markers of transgene activity were assessed by molecular and immunohistochemical methods in tumors and normal bladder samples.


RESULTS
Specific transgene expression was detected in tissues from seven of eight assessable patients treated with intravesical instillation of SCH 58500 but in none of three assessable patients treated with intratumoral injection of SCH 58500. Induction of RNA and protein expression of the p53 target gene p21/WAF1 was demonstrated in samples from patients treated with SCH 58500 instillation at higher dose levels. Distribution studies after intravesical instillation of SCH 58500 revealed both high transduction efficacy and vector penetration throughout the whole urothelium and into submucosal tumor cells. No dose-limiting toxicity was observed, and side effects were local and of transient nature.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravesical instillation of SCH 58500 combined with a transduction-enhancing agent is safe, feasible, and biologically active in patients with bladder cancer. Studies to evaluate the clinical efficacy of this treatment in patients with localized high-risk bladder cancer are warranted.
Kuball
Jürgen
J
Department of Medicine III, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
Wen
Shu Fen
SF
Leissner
Joachim
J
Atkins
Derek
D
Meinhardt
Patricia
P
Quijano
Erlinda
E
Engler
Heidrun
H
Hutchins
Beth
B
Maneval
Daniel C
DC
Grace
Michael J
MJ
Fritz
Mary Ann
MA
Störkel
Stefan
S
Thüroff
Joachim W
JW
Huber
Christoph
C
Schuler
Martin
M
D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000283:Administration, Intravesical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015653:Cystectomy; D017931:DNA Primers; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D016158:Genes, p53; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
D017931:DNA Primers