[Experimental studies on the treatment of colon cancer by cytosine deaminase gene and 5-fluorocytosine].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of cytosine deaminase (CD) gene plus 5-fluorocytosine (5-Fc) on the growth of human colon cancer xenograftin nude mice.


METHODS
Retroviral vector expressing CD gene was transfected into human colon cancer SW1116 cells. Expression of the transfected CD gene in SW1116 (SWCD(2)) was confirmed by RT-PCR. The cytotoxicity of 5-Fc on SW1116 was determined by MTT assay in vitro. In vivo, the CD gene expression vector was injected intratumorally and 5-Fc was given by ip injections.


RESULTS
In vitro, SWCD(2) cells were killed by 5-Fc with an IC(50) of 66 micromol/L while the nontrasfected SW1116 cells needed an IC(50) of 16 000 micromol/L to be killed. The growth of SWCD(2) xenografts was significantly inhibited by systemic administration of 5-Fc.


CONCLUSIONS
CD gene/5-Fc system is a potential gene therapy strategy for human colon cancer.
Huang
Jian-Hua
JH
Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China. huangjh123@yahoo.com.cn
Wang
Yao
Y
Li
Chong-Hui
CH
Zhong
Da-Guang
DG
Lü
Hai-Yan
HY
D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D043525:Cytosine Deaminase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005437:Flucytosine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
D005437:Flucytosine; D043525:Cytosine Deaminase