title: [Combined interleukin-2 and herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of combined interleukin-2 (IL-2) and herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene therapy for murine head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ad IL-2 or/and Ad HSV-TK were injected into the tumor tissues directly after the murine HNSCC model was established. DL312 or PBS was used as control and ganciclovir (GCV) was used at 25 mg/kg for 7 days in Ad HSV-TK gene treatment groups. Tumor size was measured before and after treatment to evaluate the response to treatment. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and natural killer (NK) assays were performed and IL-2 expressions were also measured after IL-2 gene transfection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HNSCC tumor growth was significantly inhibited following combined IL-2 and HSV-TK gene therapy as compared to other groups (P < 0.05). Increased levels of IL-2 protein expression was found in combined and single IL-2 treated groups. The combination and IL-2 treated groups produced greater activities of CTL and NK than that of the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IL-2 gene therapy can efficiently induce antitumor immunity of the host and enhance antitumor effects of HSV-TK. Combined IL-2 and HSV-TK gene therapy could significantly inhibit HNSCC tumor growth in the murine model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China. liusx@mcwcums.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural; D051379:Mice; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000201:enzymology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D013937:Thymidine Kinase