Antisense oligonucleotides against protein kinase CK2-alpha inhibit growthof squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in vitro

Background: Human squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) ove rexpress the protein kinase CK2, and elevated CK2 activity correlates with aggressive tumor behavior and poor clinical outcome. We therefore investiga ted whether interference with CK2 expression would inhibit SCCHN cell growt h in vitro. Methods: We targeted the catalytic (alpha) subunit of CK2 using an antisens e oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) strategy. Human Ca9-22 cells derived from SCCH N were transfected with CK2-alpha sense, nonsense, or antisense ODN; CK2 ac tivity was measured; and the effect on CK2 activity and on cell growth was determined. Results: Transfection of Ca9-22 cells with antisense CK2-alpha ODN resulted in significantly decreased CK2 kinase activity associated with nuclear chr omatin and in dose-dependent growth inhibition of Ca9-22 cells in vitro. Conclusions: Interference with the protein kinase CK2 signal in SCCHN cells may offer a novel anticancer strategy for this malignancy. (C) 2000 John W iley & Sons, Inc.