[Adenovirus p16(INK4A) gene therapy for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the anti-tumor effects of p16INK4A gene transfer in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS

A Complete p16INK4A gene was inserted into a replication-defective recombinant adenovirus (Ad-p16) and the tumor cells were infected with Ad-p16. Confirmation of p16INK4A protein expression after Ad-p16 infection was performed by Western Blotting. The therapeutic effects were evaluated both in in vitro and in vivo study.

RESULTS

The replication-defective recombinant adenovirus can direct a high level of p16INK4A protein expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Studies both in in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that Ad-p16 treatment significantly inhibits the cell growth and the established tumors in nude mice. The mean value of tumor volumes among the Ad-p16, Ad-Lacz and phosphatic buffered saline(PBS) groups was (91.00 +/- 6.32) mm3, (137.00 +/- 9.62) mm3 and (144.00 +/- 13.87) mm3 respectively. Statistic analysis showed that there was a significant difference between the Ad-p16 group and the control groups (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between Ad-lacZ and PBS groups, which indicated that the antitumor effects was not influenced by the adenovirus.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate a significant antitumor effect of Ad-p16 against human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. This data also further support the potential application of Ad-p16 to treat the human head and neck cancer.