Recombinant adenoviruses expressing TRAIL demonstrate antitumor effects on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
BACKGROUND
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces apoptosis in a variety of malignant cells, but not in normal cells. This preferential toxicity to the abnormal cells renders TRAIL potentially a very powerful therapeutic weapon against cancer. However, a requirement for large quantities of TRAIL to suppress tumor growth in vivo is one of the major factors that has hindered it from being widely applied clinically. To overcome this, we constructed a replication-deficient adenovirus that carries a human full-length TRAIL gene (Ad-TRAIL) and tested its efficacy against a lung cancer model system in comparison to that of the recombinant soluble TRAIL protein.


METHODS
To investigate the antitumor activity and therapeutic value of the Ad-TRAIL on the non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), four NSCLC cell lines, namely, YTMLC, GLC, A549, and H460 cells, were used. TRAIL protein expression was determined by Western blotting and flow cytometry. Cell viability was analyzed by proliferation assay, and DNA ladder and cell-cycle analysis were used to identify apoptosis. To further evaluate the effect of Ad-TRAIL in vivo, YTMLC cells were inoculated to the subcutis of nude mice. The Ad-TRAIL was subsequently administered into the established tumors. Tumor growth and the TRAIL toxicity were evaluated after treatment.


RESULTS
YTMLC cells infected with Ad-TRAIL showed decreased cell viability and a higher percentage of apoptosis. Similar, Ad-TRAIL treatment also significantly suppressed tumor growth in vivo.


CONCLUSIONS
TRAIL gene therapy provides a promising therapy for the treatment of NSCLC.
Yang
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F
Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Jiaoling Road 379, Kunming, Yunnan 650118, P.R. China.
Shi
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P
Xi
X
X
Yi
S
S
Li
H
H
Sun
Q
Q
Sun
M
M
D000256:Adenoviridae; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; C505653:TNFSF10 protein, human; C505654:Tnfsf10 protein, mouse; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha