Inhibition effects of apoptin gene on murine sarcoma 180 in vivo in mice

  Objective   To study the inhibition effects of apoptin gene on inducing regression of murine sarcoma 180 (S180)and prolonging the survival term of mice in vivo.

  Methods   Mice bearing S180 were used as the model and treated with the apoptin gene.The survival term, weight of the tumor and the apoptosis of tumor cells were detected respectively.

  Results   pcDNA A3 plasmid, which contains apoptin gene, could result in regression or complete remission of S180 grown as xenografts in mice and significantly increased their survival long term by intratumoral transfer.Early after intratumoral injection, apoptin mRNA could be detected in significant quantities by RT-PCR.Furthermore, cell death and disruption of the tumor integrity were apparent in the transduced regions.

  Conclusion   This exper imental gene therapeutic strategy constitutes a unique example of specific antitumor activiy using apoptin gene.