RECEPTOR-MEDIATED GENE-TRANSFER INTO HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS-CELL CANCER

Background: The ''Adeno-Virus-Enhanced-Receptor-Mediated'' (AVET)-Syst em uses the receptor-mediated endocytosis route to introduce DNA into mammalian cells. By the help of a replication defective adenovirus wit h endosomolytic activity the coentry of receptor-bound DNA particles i s faciliated. The transport to the nucleus followed by gene expression is multifold enhanced. Methods: Two different permanent cell lines fr om head and neck squamous cell cancer were transfected with the report ergene for luciferase with either AVET or different liposoms in vitro. Results: In comparison it becomes obvious, that AVET shows a multifol d higher transfection rate in vitro than the liposomal formulations ap plied. Conclusions: AVET could be used for efficient transfection of e pithelial cells, that are fairly reluctant to DNA transfer. Further tr ials in the mouse model must prove a possible application in vivo.