Gene silencing for epidermal growth factor receptor variant III induces cell-specific cytotoxicity.

Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) is a constitutively active mutant form of EGFR that is expressed in 40% to 50% of gliomas and several other malignancies. Here, we describe the therapeutic effects of silencing EGFRvIII on glioma cell lines in vitro and in vivo. A small interfering RNA molecule against EGFRvIII was introduced into EGFRvIII-expressing glioma cells (U87Delta) by electroporation resulting in complete inhibition of expression of EGFRvIII as early as 48 h post-treatment.