title: Characterization of human mesothelioma cell lines as tumor models for suicide gene therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The median survival time of patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) remains poor. Therefore, novel therapeutic options are in high demand, and well characterized model systems for in vitro/vivo screening have to be established.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this purpose, 3 MPM cell lines (H-Meso-1, MSTO211H, and NCI-H28) were characterized and tested for susceptibility to recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV2)-based vectors which have the potential for a loco-regional application.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using multiplex fluorescence in situ hybridization, several recurrent chromosomal aberrations were observed for each of the MPM cell lines. Tumorigenicity of H-Meso-1 and MSTO-211H cells was shown in an intraperitoneal NOD/SCID mouse model, whereas NCI-H28 cells did not yield any tumors. Although all 3 cell lines were readily susceptible to rAAV2 vectors, differences in susceptibility were observed (H-Meso-1 > NCI-H28 > MSTO-211H). Furthermore, the efficacy of a potential suicide gene therapy using an rAAV2 suicide vector-transduced MPM cell line was determined in a proof-of-feasibility in vivo experiment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The characterized cell lines described here may serve as a model for in vitro and in vivo preclinical gene therapy for the treatment of MPM using rAAV2 suicide vectors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Mannheim Medical Center, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Marlon R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Veldwijk
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berlinghoff
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jauch
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laufs
authors.forename: W Jens
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Zeller
authors.forename: Frederik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wenz
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fruehauf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D041722:Genes, Transgenic, Suicide / Q000235:genetics*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D014161:Transduction, Genetic / Q000379:methods*