title: Ultrasound-guided RNA interference targeting HIF-1 alpha improves the effects of transarterial chemoembolization in rat liver tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether ultrasound-guided RNA interference (RNAi) targeting hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) can enhance the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats with orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma were randomized to four groups and treated as follows: 1) control; 2) siHIF-1α; 3) TACE; 4) siHIF-1α+TACE. Lentivirus (4×10(8) transfection units) with or without small interfering RNA (siRNA) expression in 0.6 mL transduction reagent was injected into tumors using a standard 1 mL syringe under ultrasonic guidance. In the siHIF-1α+TACE and siHIF-1α groups, rats received siRNA-expressing lentivirus; the rats in the TACE and control groups received lentivirus without siRNA. TACE was performed by placing a microcatheter into the gastroduodenal artery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median survival time, body weight, and tumor volume of the siHIF-1α+TACE group were better than those of the TACE, siHIF-1α, and control groups. A comparative analysis of the different treatment groups demonstrated that HIF-1α RNAi could downregulate the levels of HIF-1α and VEGF, inhibit tumor angiogenesis, and lessen metastases; all of these effects were enhanced by TACE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIF-1α RNAi, which was administered in vivo in liver tumors under ultrasound guidance, improved the efficacy of TACE in treating hepatocellular carcinoma in an animal model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China ; Department of Radiology, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Cheng-Shi
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hai-Liang
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chen-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhi-Ping
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jian-Hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: RNA interference; hepatocellular carcinoma; hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha; transarterial chemoembolization; ultrasound guidance