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In vitro sensitivity of nitrosourea-induced neurogenic tumors to ACNU.

The effect of ACNU on the in vitro viability of a methylnitrosourea-induced gliosarcoma (T9) and two ethylnitrosourea-induced brain tumors, TR-481 (a malignant neurinoma) and EB-679 (a glioma) was studied. T9 was highly sensitive to ACNU, demonstrating loss of cells following a 3 hour exposure time to 5 microgram/ml; TR-481 was sensitive to 40 microgram/ml of ACNU and EB-679 was highly resistant to 40 microgram/ml of ACNU. The in vitro sensitivity of the tumor cell lines to ACNU is: T 9 greater than TR-481 greater than EB-679. This data indicates that variability of response to both concentration and exposure time of ACNU of malignant brain tumor cells must be taken into consideration in planning in vitro and/or in vivo treatment of experimental brain tumors.

Animals↗

HEA 125 and Ber EP4: two monoclonal anti-epithelial, non-cytokeratin antibodies distinguishing metastatic carcinomas from glial tumors.

Since some monoclonal anti-cytokeratin antibodies also react with glial tumors to a relatively high degree, an immunohistochemical study was performed to examine the reaction of 40 glial tumors and neuroepithelial tumors with glial differentiation to the monoclonal anti-epithelial non-cytokeratin antibodies HEA 125 and Ber EP4. Seven of these tumors were cytokeratin-positive neoplasms (6 gliosarcomas and 1 ependymoma). In addition, 20 metastatic carcinomas were investigated. All glial tumors showed a negative reaction to HEA 125 and Ber EP4, whereas 19 of the 20 metastatic carcinomas were positive with these two monoclonal antibodies. HEA 125 and Ber EP4 thus can be used as additional markers especially in cytokeratin-negative small cell carcinomas.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and its cognate receptors in a rat glioma model of tumor angiogenesis.

We have recently shown that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is produced by human malignant glioma cells and acts on tumor endothelial cells, which express VEGF receptors, suggesting that VEGF is a regulator of tumor angiogenesis. To investigate the feasibility of antiangiogenic brain tumor therapy, we developed an intracerebral (i.c.) rat glioma model. We used two transplantable rat glioma cells lines, C6 and GS-9L, to analyze VEGF regulation in vitro and expression of VEGF and its high affinity tyrosine kinase receptors, flt-1 and flk-1, in vivo. Glioma cells were transplanted i.c. or s.c. into syngeneic rats. C6 gliomas exhibit morphological characteristics of human glioblastoma multiforme such as necroses with palisading cells. Immunocytochemistry with von Willebrand factor showed that C6 gliomas are highly vascularized and therefore show another prominent feature of human glioblastoma. GS-9L gliosarcomas were less vascularized. In situ hybridization showed that VEGF is expressed in vivo in rat glioma cells which reside along necrotic areas and therefore closely mimicks the expression pattern of VEGF observed in human glioblastoma. flt-1 and flk-1 are specifically expressed in endothelial cells in the tumor and at the border between tumor and normal brain but are absent from endothelial cells in the normal brain proper. The action of VEGF may therefore be restricted to tumor endothelium. Upregulation of VEGF, but not acid fibroblast growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor B messenger RNA was observed in hypoxic C6 and GS-9L cells in vitro. These observations are consistent with a role for VEGF in tumor- and hypoxia-induced angiogenesis. Since the expression pattern of VEGF and its receptors in rat glioma appears to be indistinguishable from human glioblastoma multiforme, this model provides an excellent tool to study anti-angiogenic therapy.

Animals↗

Tumor-derived monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 induces intratumoral infiltration of monocyte-derived macrophage subpopulation in transplanted rat tumors.

By immunohistochemistry using anti-rat macrophage monoclonal antibodies RM-1, ED1, ED2, ED3, TRPM-3, and Ki-M2R, we studied transplanted rat tumors of 9L (rat gliosarcoma), Ad-2 (rat mammary carcinoma), and MT-P (rat malignant fibrous histiocytoma) cell lines to examine the distribution pattern of macrophages within and around the tumors. Most tumor-associated macrophages expressed RM-1, ED1, and Ia antigens, indicating activated macrophages. Based on differences in their immunophenotypical expression, these macrophages were distinguished into two major subpopulations. One expressed TRPM-3 and/or ED3, and the other was positive for ED2 and Ki-M2R. The former was considered to be monocyte-derived macrophages, whereas the latter showed the immunophenotype of tissue-fixed, resident macrophages. Infiltration and distribution patterns in the two macrophage subpopulations differed in the three different tumors. Monocyte-derived, activated macrophages infiltrated into 9L- and Ad-2-transplanted tumors, which markedly produced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Additionally, numerous ED2- and Ki-M2R-positive macrophages were observed within the Ad-2-transplanted tumors, and some of them expressed TRPM-3. However, there were few macrophages in the MT-P-transplanted tumors that showed no MCP-1 production. In transplanted tumors of four MT-P/MCP-1 cell lines established by transfecting a rat MCP-1 gene expression vector (pCEP4/MCP-1) into the MT-P cell line, different levels of MCP-1 production were detected, which correlated well with the numbers of intratumorally infiltrated TRPM-3-positive macrophages. In contrast, ED2- and Ki-M2R-positive macrophages were not detected in any MT-P/MCP-1-transplanted tumors. MT-P/MCP-1-transplanted tumors exhibited lower growth rate than parental MT-P-transplanted tumors. These results indicate that tumor-derived MCP-1 induces intratumoral infiltration of monocyte-derived macrophages, but not macrophages with the immunophenotype of tissue-fixed, resident type. The former population of macrophages seems to have a suppressive effect on the growth of tumors.

Animals↗

In situ retroviral-mediated gene transfer for the treatment of brain tumors in rats.

Gene transfer with vectors derived from murine retroviruses is restricted to cells which are proliferating and synthesizing DNA at the time of infection. This suggests that retroviral-mediated gene transfer might permit targeting of gene integration into malignant cells in organs composed mainly of quiescent nonproliferating cells, such as in the brain. Accordingly, selective introduction of genes encoding for susceptibility to otherwise nontoxic drugs ("suicide" genes) into proliferating brain tumors may be used to treat this cancer. We investigated the efficacy and dynamics of in vivo transduction of growing brain tumors with the herpes simplex-thymidine kinase gene followed by administration of the antiviral drug ganciclovir. Ganciclovir is phosphorylated by thymidine kinase to toxic triphosphates that interfere with DNA synthesis, resulting in the preferential death of the transduced tumor cells. Rats inoculated with 4 x 10(4) 9L gliosarcoma cells into the frontal lobe were treated 7 days later with an intratumoral stereotaxic injection of murine fibroblasts (NIH 3T3 cells) that were producing a retroviral vector containing the herpes simplex-thymidine kinase gene. Controls received vector producer and nonproducer NIH 3T3 cell lines containing the Escherichia coli lacZ (beta-galactosidase) gene as well as nonproducer NIH 3T3 cells containing the thymidine kinase gene. The animals were rested for 7 days to allow time for in situ transduction of the proliferating tumor cells with the herpes-thymidine kinase retroviral vector. The animals were then treated with ganciclovir, 15 mg/kg i.p. twice a day for 14 days. Gliomas receiving an injection of 3-5 x 10(6) thymidine kinase producer cells regressed completely in 23 of 30 rats given ganciclovir therapy, while 25 of 26 control rats developed large tumors. Intratumoral injection of a lower concentration of thymidine kinase vector producer cells (1.8 x 10(6)) resulted in a lower frequency of tumor regression (5 of 13 rats). To estimate the efficiency of in vivo gene transfer, 9L brain tumors were given injections of 5 x 10(6) beta-galactosidase vector producer cells. 5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranaside staining revealed maximal staining of beta-galactosidase within the tumor 7-14 days after injection of the vector producer cells. In vivo transduction rates in harvested tumors ranged from 10 to 70%. There was no evidence of transduction of the surrounding normal neural tissue. Occasional blood vessel endothelial cells within or adjacent to the tumor were observed to be 5-bromo-4- chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranaside positive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

3T3 Cells↗

Exploiting the lacZ reporter gene for quantitative analysis of disseminated tumor growth within the brain: use of the lacZ gene product as a tumor antigen, for evaluation of antigenic modulation, and to facilitate image analysis of tumor growth in situ.

We extend use of the lacZ reporter gene for tumor biology. Intracerebral growth of 9L/lacZ, a gliosarcoma cell line that stably expresses lacZ, was evaluated in syngeneic rats. The reporter gene product, Escherichia coli-derived beta-galactosidase (beta-gal), was detected histochemically on tissue sections. This permits visualization of disseminated tumor and, as shown here, facilitates image analysis. We show that the beta-gal marker protein itself can serve as a tumor antigen in appropriate contexts. Quantitative image analysis of tumor areas is used to show that immunization with beta-gal protects against tumor growth. Abnormal beta-gal- areas are easily detected, facilitating study of antigenic modulation. The tumor studied did not escape through this mechanism. All abnormal beta-gal- areas examined were shown to reflect accumulation of inflammatory or reactive cells, not tumor. Taken together, these findings show several ways in which the lacZ reporter gene can be exploited to facilitate quantitative analysis of disseminated tumor growth within the brain. They draw attention to the growing appreciation that tumor antigens need not be cell surface molecules.

Animals↗

Subcellular distribution of various boron compounds and implications for their efficacy in boron neutron capture therapy by Monte Carlo simulations.

Neutron capture therapy has a promising role in cancer treatment since it can achieve selectivity at the cellular level. The effect of this therapy depends on the subcellular localization of boron atoms in the target cell. Five boron compounds were investigated in this study: the monomeric and dimeric sulfhydryl boranes (BSH and BSSB), a boronated phenylalanine (BPA), and two porphyrin complexes (BOPP and VCDP). The study shows that when exponentially growing rat 9L gliosarcoma cells are exposed to an isoeffective concentration of each of the five compounds for 1 h, BOPP produces a much higher intracellular level of boron than the other four compounds; BSSB produces the second highest level, while exposure to BSH, VCDP, and BPA resulted in lower intracellular boron levels. Subcellular fractionation studies showed that most of the boron localized in the cytoplasm of the cells with all five compounds. A significantly higher boron concentration was found in the lysosomes of the cells, but the nuclei contained only minimal concentrations of boron. Computer simulations of neutron capture reactions with boron using a Monte Carlo simulation code indicated that BOPP would yield the highest potential effectiveness, followed by BSSB, BSH, VCDP, and BPA, in that order.

Animals↗

[Pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity of MX2, a new morpholino anthracycline in brain tumor intracerebral transplanted in rats].

Pharmacokinetics and antitumor activity of MX2.HCl (MX2), a new morpholino anthracycline, were investigated in rats transplanted 9L gliosarcoma cells in the brain. (1) Pharmacokinetics: AUC of MX2 in the brain tumors which received intracarotid and intravenous injection of 2mg/kg of MX2 were 117.50 and 55.94 micrograms.hr/g, respectively. AUC of the brain tissue was 1.38-3.90 micrograms.hr/g. (2) Antitumor activity: The inhibition of cell growth at the concentration of 0.1 micrograms/ml was 73.1% with MTT assay. The mean survival time in tumor-bearing rats after intracarotid and intravenous injection of 2mg/kg of MX2 prolonged significantly. Therefore, it seems that MX2 will become an efficacious drug for the treatment of malignant glioma.

Animals↗

Immunogenetic control of brain tumor growth in rats.

The susceptibility to intracerebral and s.c. growth of a transplantable gliosarcoma in genetically inbred rats correlated with histocompatibility type. The genetic control of tumor growth was tested in a cross between a tumor-susceptible strain (F344, Ag-B1) and a tumor-resistant strain (YO, Ag-B2). Susceptibility was transmitted as a dominant trait, and at least two genes or gene complexes were involved: one was linked to the major histocompatibility complex and one segregated independently of it. The genetic mechanisms did not appear to be affected significantly by the site (environment) in which the tumor grew. Antibodies to Ag-B1 histocompatibility antigens, which were those of the strain in which the tumor originated (F344), and to tumor-associated antigens were generally present in animals in which the tumor had regressed. Only tumor-specific antibodies appeared in the sera of Ag-B1 animals that had the tumor. A cytotoxic lymphokine was present in the sera of tumor-bearing animals, but its level did not correlate with tumor growth or regression.

Animals↗

Evaluation of genetically engineered herpes simplex viruses as oncolytic agents for human malignant brain tumors.

Earlier studies have shown that genetically engineered herpes simplex viruses (e.g., HSV-1) are effective in killing malignant tumor cells both in vitro and in various murine tumor models. This report focuses on a panel of five genetically engineered viral mutants of the gamma(1)34.5 gene, which was shown previously to cause reduction in viral replication and associated neurovirulence of HSV. These include R3616, which has both copies of gamma(1)34.5 deleted, R4009, which has a stop codon inserted after codon 28 in both copies of the gamma(1)34.5 gene, R849, which contains a lacZ gene inserted in place of the gamma(1)34.5, R908, which lacks 41 codons in frame after codon 72 of the gamma(1)34.5, and R939, which carries a stop codon precluding the translation of the COOH-terminal domain of the gamma(1)34.5 gene. We report the following: (a) all five mutant HSVs were avirulent in experimental animals but were cytotoxic for human tumor cells in vitro and in vivo; (b) the gamma(1)34.5- HSV replicated in human glioma cells almost as efficiently as wild-type HSV-1(F) based on replication assays, in situ hybridization for viral DNA, and expression of infected cell protein 27; (c) capacity of mutant HSVs to kill human cells derived from glioblastoma multiforme (CH-235MG, D-37MG, D-54MG, D-65MG, U-251MG, U-373MG, and SK-MG-1), anaplastic astrocytoma (Hs-683), anaplastic glioma (U-87MG and U-138MG), gliosarcoma (D-32GS), or normal human astrocytes demonstrated that glioma cells varied in their susceptibility to HSV-mediated cytotoxicity and that cultured astrocytes were two to three orders of magnitude less susceptible to killing than were malignant glia; and (d) scid mice, which received 0.5 or 5 x 10(6) plaque-forming units of R4009, either were coinoculated at the time of intracranial transplantation with 106 U251MG or D-54MG human glioma cells or received the cells intratumorally 5 days after tumor induction and experienced significant increases in median survivals, with no histopathological indication of an infectious encephalitic process. Genetically engineered gamma(1)34.5- HSV mutants appear to be a potentially safe biotherapeutic agent for experimental treatment of uniformly fatal malignant brain tumors.

Acyclovir↗

[An immunohistochemical study of the expression of the oncoprotein p53 in astrocytic gliomas of the cerebral hemispheres].

p53 oncoprotein was studied in 80 astrocytic gliomas of the hemispheres and nuclear expression of this oncoprotein was found in 90% of the tumors this indicating high specificity of the reaction. A tendency to growing oncoprotein expression was found at different stages of malignant transformation showing feasibility of clonal expansion of cells with gene p53 mutation. High variability of the oncoprotein p53 immunoreactivity is characteristic of glioblastomas this suggesting genotypic polymorphism of gliomas of high grade malignancy. The lowest expression of the p53 oncoprotein was in gliosarcomas suggesting mechanism other than mutation. A stable link between the p53 oncoprotein expression and the proliferating cells nuclei antigen was not observed. This finding confirms an independent character of various progression features of the tumor.

Adolescent↗

Reversal of tumor-induced immunosuppression: a new approach to cancer therapy.

Many studies show defective immune responses in patients diagnosed with cancer. Most of the diverse nonspecific approaches used to stimulate the immune system to recognize and destroy abnormal tumor cells have limited clinical utility. Attempts to identify tumor-specific antigens and to improve the antigen presentation were equally disappointing. It appears that some of these failures can be explained by tumor-induced immunosuppression. A large number of cytokines, hormones, and other molecules secreted by tumors were demonstrated to have immunomodulating properties. The most extensively studied immunosuppressive molecules secreted by tumors are transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta), interleukin 10 (IL-10), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). TGF beta in particular may play a key role in tumor-induced immunosuppression. It is the most potent immunosuppressor described to date, and it has been consistently isolated from variety of tumor cell lines and detected in plasma of tumor-bearing hosts. Level of TGF beta production by tumor cells correlates with their metastatic potential, and TGF beta neutralization not only prevents development of metastases, but also inhibits growth or completely eradicates tumors as diverse as breast cancer, melanoma, and malignant gliosarcoma in animal models. PGE2 may play significant role in early stages of tumor development, promoting the process of tumorigenesis in some tumors. Research on reversal of tumor-induced immunosuppression promises new, more powerful, and less toxic approaches to cancer therapy. Existence of molecule(s) consistently secreted by different types of tumors and responsible for tumor progression raises the possibility of a single, universal assay to monitor progression and recurrence in many malignancies, including those that currently do not have reliable plasma markers.

Animals↗

Antiproliferative effects of cyclopentenyl cytosine (NSC 375575) in human glioblastoma cells.

Cyclopentenyl cytosine (CPEC) exerts an antiproliferative effect against a wide variety of human and murine tumor lines, including a panel of human gliosarcoma and astrocytoma lines. This effect is produced primarily by the 5'-triphosphate metabolite CPEC-TP, an inhibitor of cytidine-5'-triphosphate (CTP) synthase (EC 6.3.4.2). Because previous studies with human glioma cell lines utilized cells in long-term tissue culture, we have undertaken to determine whether the activity of CPEC in such model systems is also demonstrable in freshly excised human glioblastoma cells. Glioma cells obtained at surgery and in log phase growth were exposed to the drug at levels ranging from 0.01 to 1 microM for 24 h, and CPEC-TP and CTP levels were determined by HPLC. Dose-dependent accumulation of CPEC-TP was accompanied by a concomitant decrease in CTP pools, with 50% depletion of the latter being achieved at a CPEC level of ca. 0.1 microM. Human glioma cell proliferation was inhibited 50% by 24-h exposure to 0.07 microM CPEC. Postexposure decay of CPEC-TP was slow, with a half-time of 30 h. DNA cytometry showed a dose-dependent shift in cell cycle distribution, with an accumulation of cells in S-phase. The pharmacological effects of CPEC on freshly excised glioblastoma cells are quantitatively similar to those seen in a range of established tissue culture lines, including human glioma, colon carcinoma, and MOLT-4 lymphoblasts, supporting the recommendation that the drug may be advantageous for the treatment of human glioblastoma.

Adult↗

[Gene therapy of a model of glioblastoma in rats using adenovirus vector encoding the HSVtk gene].

Our aim was to test the therapeutic effects of adenovirus-mediated gene therapy in an animal model of brain tumor which was obtained by injection of 9L gliosarcoma cells into the caudate nucleus of rat brains. Seven days after the implantation of tumor cells, adenovirus vectors bearing the Escherichia coli beta galactosidase gene (ADV beta-gal) or the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene (ADVtk) were stereotactically injected in the tumor. Injection of the ADV beta gal resulted in the expression of the marker gene in 61% of the animals. Transfer of the ADVtk was followed, 3 days later, by intraperitoneal injection of ganciclovir (GCV) for 10 days. A control group was treated with saline instead of GCV. We observed a significant regression of the tumors in 50% of the rats treated with ADVtk and GCV as compared with control animals. In 4 cases out of 6, the tumor completely disappeared after treatment. These results demonstrate the potential efficacy of adenovirus-mediated transfer of the HSVtk gene following by GCV administration for the treatment of glioblastomas.

Adenoviridae↗

Factor XIIIa-immunoreactivity in tumors of the central nervous system.

The clotting factor XIIIa (FXIIIa) has been shown to be present both in tumor cells and in tumor-associated macrophages of different neoplasms such as Hodgkin's disease, giant cell tumor of bone, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, meningeal tumors, and hemangiopericytoma. The biological significance of these findings, however, are still unclear. This study investigates the immunohistochemical distribution of FXIIIa in 186 tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) in order to evaluate its possible diagnostic or prognostic significance in neuro-oncology. High-grade gliomas such as glioblastoma, gliosarcoma, astrocytoma (grade III WHO), and ependymoma (III) as well as meningiomas and meningeal hemangiopericytomas consistently contained factor XIIIa-positive cells, whereas low-grade glial tumors did not do so. One desmoplastic medulloblastoma and one anaplastic schwannoma also showed FXIIIa-positive cells. With the exception of hemangiopericytomas, however, the major source of FXIIIa expression in all these tumors consisted of a subpopulation of tumor-associated macrophages, the exact role of which still remains unclear. Because of its non-discriminatory staining in a wide variety of CNS tumors, the differential diagnostic contribution of FXIIIa in neuro-oncology seems to be limited.

Central Nervous System Neoplasms↗

Increased tissue oxygenation and enhanced radiation sensitivity of solid tumors in rodents following polyethylene glycol conjugated bovine hemoglobin administration.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxic tumors are frequently resistant to radiation therapy. Polyethylene glycol conjugated bovine hemoglobin (PEG-Hb) was tested for its ability to increase oxygen tension in the hypoxic rat osteogenic sarcoma UMR-106, murine Lewis lung carcinoma LL2 and rat gliosarcoma 9L. In addition, PEG-Hb was tested as an adjunct for radiotherapy in UMR-106 and human prostate carcinoma PC-3 solid tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rodents bearing established subcutaneous tumors were intravenously administered PEG-Hb. Tumor surface tissue oxygen tension was measured by both OxySpot and OxyMap systems, which utilize the same phosphorescence quenching method. RESULTS: A time-dependent rise in oxygen tension was noted, and the maximum tissue oxygen tensions were observed two hours post PEG-Hb administration, and sustained for at least 2 hours. Following a single dose radiation of 4 Gray, osteogenic sarcoma tumors in the PEG-Hb treated group showed dramatic regression (complete remission occurred in 100% of the high dose PEG-Hb treated rats), as compared to control (Ringer's lactate) group tumors that showed continued aggressive growth. All PEG-Hb plus radiation treated animals bearing human prostate carcinoma (PC-3) showed significant tumor growth delay compared to both control (Ringer's lactate) and irradiation only treated animals. CONCLUSION: PEG-Hb increased tumor oxygen content and improved the effectiveness of radiotherapy in these rodent models.

Animals↗

Treatment of human glioblastoma cells with the staurosporine derivative CGP 41251 inhibits CDC2 and CDK2 kinase activity and increases radiation sensitivity.

CGP, 41251, a staurosporine derivative, is a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC). In recent studies we found that this compound causes growth inhibition and induces apoptosis in human glioblastoma cell lines and also inhibits the growth of xenografts of a human astrocytoma. In this study we investigate its effects on cell cycle control. Treatment of glioblastoma or gliosarcoma cells with CGP 41251 lead to a time and dose dependent increase of the percentage of cells in the G2-M phase of the cell cycle. This correlated with a decrease of CDC2- and CDK2-associated histone H1 kinase activities as well as a decrease in the cellular level of the CDC2 protein. The decrease of CDC2- associated histone H1 kinase activity was detected within 5 hours, and there was complete inhibition after 24 hours. Assays of mixtures of cell extracts obtained from cultures treated with CGP 41251, the inactive analog CGP 42700, or untreated cultures indicated that this decrease was due to a decrease in the CDC2 kinase itself rather than the accumulation of an inhibitor of this kinase. In vitro assays in which CGP 41251 was added directly to the in vitro assay system revealed marked inhibition of both CDC2- and CDK2-associated kinase activity at about 1 microM. Thus CGP 41251 inhibits CDC2- and CDK2-associated kinase activities both in vivo and in vitro. Its biologic effects may, therefore, not be due simply to inhibition of PKC. Since cells in the G2-M phase of the cell cycle are relatively more sensitive to killing by gamma- radiation than cells in other phases of the cell cycle, we carried out radiosensitization studies. We found that CGP 41251 was a radiation sensitizer in two glioblastoma cell lines. Therefore, this compound may be useful in the treatment of glioblastomas, possibly in combination with radiation therapy.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

[Gene transduction for experimental brain tumors using recombinant adenovirus vector].

Recent advances in molecular biology have permitted significant progress toward the treatment of malignant brain tumors using gene transduction methods. Adenovirus vectors have recently been shown to transduce genes successfully into brain tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. We have investigated the feasibility of gene transduction for brain tumors using adenovirus vectors. To evaluate in vitro transduction rate by adenovirus vectors, rat 9L gliosarcoma cells or human glioblastoma cells were infected with recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus vectors containing the E. coli beta-galactosidase gene (Adex-CALacZ) and stained with X-Gal. We observed a multiplicity of infection (MOI)-dependent rate. Approximately 100% transgene expression was achieved at a MOI of 5 after seven days of incubation. To evaluate transgene expression in a rat brain tumor model, AdexCALacZ was stereotactically injected into established rat 9L brain tumors. Intratumoral injection of AdexCALacZ resulted in high transgene expression in tumor cells. Although injection of AdexCALacZ in the normal basal ganglia resulted in broad and diffuse transduction into endogenous neural cells, direct intratumoral injection resulted in transduction that was relatively restricted to the tumor cells as well as some neighboring normal cells. Transduction rates were relatively elevated at the margin of the tumor. Our results suggest that adenovirus vectors might be a feasible method to transfer therapeutic genes into malignant brain tumors.

Adenoviridae↗