The Synergistic Cell Killing Effects by the Transduction of the w-p53 Gene and 5-FU Administration in Colon Cancer Cell Lines

Kim, Hyung Jin; Lee, Sang Chul; Lee, In Kyu; Kang, Won Kyung; Oh, Seong Taek; Chang, Suk Kyun

Abstract

PURPOSE: It is known that the wild-type p53 (w-p53) gene has several functions such as suppression of tumor cell growth, control of the cell cycle, stabilization of the genes and cellular differentiation. Recombinant w-p53 adenovirus was transfected and 5-FU was administered into the LoVo (w-p53 gene positive) and SW-837 (mutant-p53 gene positive) colon cancer cell lines to determine the cell death effects according to the presence or absence of the w-p53 gene.
METHODS
The transduction of the p53 gene was done using recombinant adenovirus and liposomes, and the cell death effect was determined by performing MTT assay.
RESULTS
The cell death effect by 5-FU was higher in the LoVo cell line than that in the SW-837 cell line. The rate of w-p53 gene transduction was about 90%. The cell death effect by w-p53 gene transduction was shown by the administration of 10 microM of 5-FU. The cell death effect according to the administration of 5-FU after w-p53 gene transduction was 10 fold of that with 5-FU administration in the both cell lines, and there was a more significant effect in the LoVo cell line.
CONCLUSION
The cell killing effect by 5-FU administration after w-p53 gene transduction showed a synergistically higher effect than those of w-p53 transduction only or 5-FU administration only in the colon cancer cell lines. Gene therapy using w-p53 gene transduction requires more extensive clinical trials.