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Current Gene Therapy

Author(s): Emi Tanaka, Daisuke Uchida*, Hidenori Shiraha, Hironari Kato, Atsushi Ohyama, Masaya Iwamuro, Masami Watanabe, Hiromi Kumon and Hiroyuki Okada

DOI: 10.2174/1566523220666200309125709

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Promising Gene Therapy Using an Adenovirus Vector Carrying REIC/Dkk-3 Gene for the Treatment of Biliary Cancer

Page: [64 - 70] Pages: 7

  • * (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Background: We previously demonstrated that the reduced expression in immortalized cells (REIC)/dikkopf-3 (Dkk-3) gene was downregulated in various malignant tumors, and that an adenovirus vector carrying the REIC/Dkk-3 gene, termed Ad-REIC induced cancer-selective apoptosis in pancreatic cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects of Ad-REIC in biliary cancer using a second- generation Ad-REIC (Ad-SGE-REIC).

Methods: Human biliary cancer cell lines (G-415, TFK-1) were used in this study. The cell viability and apoptotic effect of Ad-SGE-REIC were assessed in vitro using an MTT assay and Hoechst staining. The anti-tumor effect in vivo was assessed in a mouse xenograft model. We also assessed the therapeutic effects of Ad-SGE-REIC therapy with cisplatin. Cell signaling was assessed by Western blotting.

Results: Ad-SGE-REIC reduced cell viability, and induced apoptosis in biliary cancer cell lines via the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway. Ad-SGE-REIC also inhibited tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. This effect was further enhanced in combination with cisplatin.

Conclusion: Ad-SGE-REIC induced apoptosis and inhibited tumor growth in biliary cancer cells. REIC/Dkk-3 gene therapy using Ad-SGE-REIC is an attractive therapeutic tool for biliary cancer.

Keywords: REIC/Dkk-3, gene therapy, apoptosis, biliary cancer, chemotherapy, cisplatin.

Graphical Abstract

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