Objective: To explore the potential use of p53 in gene therapy for laryngeal cancer.
Methods: A human laryngeal cancer cell line Hep-2 was used. Recombinant cytomegalovirus-promoted adeno-viruses containing human wild-type p53 cDNA was transiently introduced into Hep-2 cells in vitro and injected into tumor nodules in vivo. The growth of Hep-2 cells in vitro and established s.c. squamous carcinoma nodules in nude mice was examined.
Results: The transduction efficiency of Hep-2 cell line was 100% at > or = 100 MOI. The p53 protein expression peaked on day 2 after infection and lasted far 5 days. Cell growth was greatly suppressed. In vivo studies, Ad5CMV-p53 transfestion in vitro inhibited tumorigenicity of Hep-2 cells in nude mice. Intra-tumoral injection of Ad5CMV-p53 significantly inhibited established s.c. implanted xenograft.
Conclusion: Transfection of wild-type p53 gene via Ad5CMV-p53 is a potential approach to the therapy of laryngeal cancer.