Delivery of interleukin-12 in gelatin hydrogels effectively suppresses development of transplanted colonal carcinoma in mice.
OBJECTIVE
The sustained effects of interleukin-12 (IL-12) incorporated in biodegradable hydrogel on the development of transplanted colon carcinoma were investigated in C57BC/6 N mice.


METHODS
IL-12 was given to the animals incorporated in gelatin hydrogels (GH) which allow its gradual release. As the control administration, IL-12 was given via two subcutaneous injections at an interval of 6 days. Growth of the tumors was evaluated in terms of volume.


RESULTS
When IL-12 at 500 ng/animal was administered in GH, the tumor volume was decreased 9 and 12 days after administration, and the response was dose dependent in the range 0-500 ng/animal. The effect of IL-12 was stronger in mice treated with GH than in mice treated by subcutaneous injection at the same dose (i.e. 250 ng/animal twice at an interval of 6 days). Feeding behavior and the post-mortem wet weight of several visceral organs were unchanged after IL-12 administration. Serum parameters relative to the liver, heart and kidneys were unaffected by IL-12 treatment. No noticeable toxicity was detected when the dose of IL-12 in GH was increased to 1000 ng/animal.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that IL-12 is effective in suppressing the growth of colon carcinoma, and that delivery of this agent in GH is efficient in the treatment of carcinoma.
Liu
Lili
L
Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Department of Regenerative and Transplant Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Asahimachi-1, Niigata 951-8510, Japan.
Sakaguchi
Takeo
T
Kanda
Tatsuo
T
Hitomi
Jiro
J
Tabata
Yasuhiko
Y
Hatakeyama
Katsuyoshi
K
D000818:Animals; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005780:Gelatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020100:Hydrogels / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation
D020100:Hydrogels; D018664:Interleukin-12; D005780:Gelatin