Gene therapy of established mesothelioma xenografts with recombinant p16(INK4a) adenovirus

The absence of expression of the p16(INK4a) gene product is observed in vir tually all mesothelioma tumors and cell lines, whereas wild-type pRB expres sion is maintained. We have examined the potential therapeutic role of re-e xpressing the p16(INK4a) gene product in mice with established human mesoth elioma xenografts. Experiments using Adp16 treatments in mesothelioma xenog rafts demonstrated prolonged survival and potential cure following treatmen t with p16(INK4a)-based gene therapy. These results demonstrate that p16(IN K4a) gene transfer may play a therapeutic role in the treatment of mesothel ioma.