Combined 5-fluorouracil/systemic interferon-beta gene therapy results in long-term survival in mice with established colorectal liver metastases

Clin Cancer Res. 2004 Feb 15;10(4):1535-44. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-0040-03.

Abstract

Preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated synergistic interactions between 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and type I and II IFNs against human colorectal cancer cells. Despite these activities, randomized human trials have failed to identify a clinical benefit for this combination treatment. These limited clinical results may be secondary to the short half-life of recombinant IFN protein and the increased systemic toxicities of 5-FU/IFN combinations. We have previously reported an adenoviral-mediated IFN-beta gene therapy strategy, which may circumvent the pitfalls of recombinant IFN therapy. However, a dose-dependent toxicity and acute inflammatory response to systemically administered adenovirus vectors may limit the clinical application of this therapy. The combination of adenoviral-mediated IFN-beta gene therapy and 5-FU resulted in tumor regression, apoptosis, and improved survival in an established liver metastases model. These therapeutic effects were observed at a significantly lower vector dose than we had previously reported and with limited toxicity. This approach may allow for an effective clinical application of this therapy and warrants additional investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / pharmacology*
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Humans
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Inflammation
  • Interferon-beta / blood
  • Interferon-beta / genetics*
  • Interferon-beta / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms / mortality
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Interferon-beta
  • Fluorouracil