In vivo expression and antitumor activity of p53 gene transfer with naked plasmid DNA in an ovarian cancer xenograft model in nude mice.

Introduction: Abnormalities in the p53 and p16 tumor suppressor genes are one of the most common occurrences associated with human neoplasia. Consequently, restoration of wild-type p53 or p16 functions is seen as a particularly promising approach for cancer gene therapy. In vitro and in vivo data have demonstrated that virus-mediated p53 gene transfer can induce active cell death and ovarian tumor regression.

Short-term culture of myeloid leukemic cells allows efficient transduction by adenoviral vectors.

Background: Ex vivo gene therapy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) requires efficient transduction of leukemic cells. Recombinant adenovirus has been reported to be a poorly efficient vector in leukemic cells. We investigated leukemic cell culture as a possible method of improving the efficacy of this vector.

Efficient generation of antileukemic autologous T cells by short-term culture and gamma-irradiation of myeloid leukemic cells.

Blasts from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be differentiated in dendritic cells (DCs) using appropriate combinations of cytokines. However, generation of autologous antileukemic cytotoxic T cells using leukemic DCs remains difficult. We have previously reported that expression of costimulatory molecules in cultured AML cells could be induced by gamma-irradiation.

Chemotherapy increases transgene expression in leukemic cells.

Background: Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often obtain complete remission with chemotherapy but the majority of patients relapse. Combining chemotherapy and gene therapy appears to be a promising approach; however, the effects of chemotherapy on transgene expression in leukemic cells have not yet been investigated.

Methods: DA1-3b leukemic cells were transfected with pCDNA3 plasmids carrying GM-CSF or LacZ cDNA.