T. Kageshita et al., Growth inhibition of human malignant melanoma transfected with the human interferon-beta gene by means of cationic liposomes, MELANOMA RE, 11(4), 2001, pp. 337-342
Among the various types of human interferons, human interferon-beta (HuIFN
beta) has the strongest anti-proliferative activity against human melanoma
cell lines. Therefore, we investigated the growth inhibitory effect of a ca
tionic liposome containing the HuIFN beta gene on human melanoma cell lines
in vitro and in vivo. After transfection with liposomes containing the HuI
FN-beta gene, human melanoma cell lines produced HuIFN beta in the culture
medium at levels ranging from 67 to 3.8 IU/ml on day 6, and growth of the c
ells was inhibited by 71-92%. Moreover, six injections of liposomes contain
ing the HulFN beta gene completely eradicated human melanoma nodules transp
lanted onto the backs of nude mice 40 days after the first injection. Histo
logical analysis of the injected nodules revealed that the HuIFN beta gene
transfection induced apoptosis of the human melanoma cells. These data sugg
est that transfection of the HuIFNP gene using cationic liposomes is a prom
ising candidate for gene therapy of human melanoma, (C) 2001 Lippincott Wil
liams & Wilkins.