Published online Jun 15, 2001. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v7.i3.345
Revised: November 24, 2000
Accepted: November 30, 2000
Published online: June 15, 2001
AIM: To evaluate antihepatoma effect of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxyribonucleotides (S-ODNs) targeted to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) genes in vitro and in nude mice.
METHODS: AFP gene expression was examined by immunocytochemical method or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Effect of S-ODNs on SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cell growth in vitro was determined using microculture tetrazolium assay. In vivo antitumor activities of S-ODNs were monitored by measuring tumor weight differences in treated and control mice bearing SMMC-7721 xenografts. Induction of cell apoptosis was evaluated by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis.
RESULTS: Antisense S-ODN treatment led to reduced AFP gene expression. Specific antisense S-ODNs, but not control S-ODNs, inhibited the growth of heaptoma cells in vitro. In vivo, only antisense S-ODNs exhibited obvious antitumor activities. FACS analysis revealed that the growth inhibition by antisense S-ODNs was associated with their cell apoptosis induction.
CONCLUSION: Antisense S-ODNs targeted to AFP genes inhibit the growth of human hepatoma cells and solid hepatoma, which is related to their cell apoptosis induction.