title: A linear polyethylenimine mediated siRNA-based therapy targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor in SPC-A1 xenograft mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Linear polyethylenimine (LPEI) is considered as a desirable gene in vivo delivery system, but whether it could deliver the specific siRNA targeted EGFR to the tumor site to inhibit the growth of NSCLC xenograft in nude mice still needs to be examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, LPEI/siRNA was made into a complex and SPC-A1-xenografted mice model was established. Then, stable LPEI/siRNA-EGFR complexes were intraperitoneally administrated. Afterwards, tumor growth was measured every 3 days. At the end of the experiment, tumor volume was calculated, and tumors were weighed, and examined for EGFR expression, proliferation, and apoptosis evaluations. By using blood samples, toxicity tests including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea and creatinine (Cr) were measured for liver and renal function evaluation. Serum concentrations of TNF-α and IFN-γ were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results demonstrated that LPEI/siRNA-EGFR complexes could downregulate EGFR expression in SPC-A1 xenografted tumor upon single i.p. injection. LPEI/siRNA-EGFR complexes inhibited tumor growth and did not induce organ toxicity in SPC-A1-xenografted mice. At the end of the experiment no significant IFN-α increase was detected in LPEI/siRNA complexes or glucose-treated groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The novel modality of siRNA-based therapy targeting EGFR may be of great potential in NSCLC treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20032, China.
authors.forename: Pinghai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20032, China.
authors.forename: Nuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20032, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20032, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20032, China.
authors.forename: Yuehong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20032, China.
authors.forename: Ka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20032, China.
authors.forename: Zhaochong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20032, China.
authors.forename: Xiangdong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20032, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 20032, China. bai.chunxue@zs-hospital.sh.cn.
authors.forename: Chunxue
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bai
keywords: Epidermal growth factor receptor; Intraperitoneal injection; Linear-polyethylenimine; Non small cell lung cancer; RNA interference; Small interfering RNA