[Expression of human TRAIL gene in COS-7 cells and its effects in the treatment of hepatic carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To study the therapeutic potential of TRAIL and in combination with subtoxic level of chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs).


METHODS
The plasmid pcDNA 3.0-hTRAIL was transfected into COS-7 cells, and it was transiently expressed. The cytotoxic functions of the expressed product and in combination with chemotherapeutic agents were detected.


RESULTS
The transiently transfected COS-7 could express the active human TRAIL. It had mild cytotoxic functions on HCC cell lines. The cytotoxicity rates in both cell lines were 9.2% and 9.5% respectively. Chemotherapeutic agents, mitomycin (M), 5-FU and actinomycin D (AcD) dramatically augmented TRAIL induced cytotoxic function. There were significant differences in the cytotoxicity between the use of single agent and in combination with TRAIL (TRAIL + M, M; 60.1%, 32.6%, TRAIL + 5-FU, 5-FU: 68.1%, 29.2%, TRAIL + AcD, AcD; 72.9%, 58.6%) (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of human TRAIL and chemotherapeutic agents, such as mitomycin, 5-FU and actinomycin D, seemed to exert a synergistic effect compared with either agent alone, and it might have therapeutic potential in the treatment of human HCC.
Xiao
Zhen-yu
ZY
Hepatic Surgery Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Li
Li
L
Chen
Xiao-ping
XP
D000818:Animals; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D019556:COS Cells; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha