Background: We investigated whether retroviral p53 transfection could enhance growth inhibition and chemosensitivity in a p53 mutant papillary thyroid cancer cell line (NPA).
Methods: NPA cells were transfected with either LXSN/p53 or mock infection in the presence of Adriamycin. Gene expression was confirmed by western blotting. Nude mice were injected subcutaneously with NPA cells after transfection with either LXSN/p53 or mock infection on opposite sides, and the tumor growth was compared.
Results: There was a dose-dependent inhibition of tumor growth with LXSN/p53 transfection. Tumor growth was inhibited more by p53 gene transfection relative to mock transfection in the presence of Adriamycin.
Conclusion: These treatment modalities could be beneficial in the treatment of p53 mutant positive thyroid cancers.