Published online Jun 15, 1998. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v4.i3.210
Revised: March 16, 1998
Accepted: May 15, 1998
Published online: June 15, 1998
AIM: To investigate the therapeutic potential of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) genemodified human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.
METHODS: The IFN-γ gene was introduced retrovirally into four HCC cell lines. Secreted IFN-γ activity was assessed using bioassay. The expression of MHC molecules was detected by FACS. Tumorigenicity was analysed by tumor formation in nude mice.
RESULTS: Four IFN-γ gene transduced HCC cell lines secreted different amounts of IFN-γ, as in the same case of five clones derived from one HCC cell line. Transduction with IFN-γ caused significant increase in the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens on HCC cells. The expression of HLA class I was increased by 2-3 times in terms of mean fluorescence intensities, while for class II expression, the percentage of positive cells augmented from < 10% to > 50%. When equal amount of tumor cells were injected into nude mice, the tumor igenicity some transduced cells decreased dramantically.
CONCLUSION: IFN-γ gene transduction can convert weakly imunogenic HCC cells to activate antitumor immune response, and further pave the way for the future use of such gene modified tumor cells as a modality for the cancer immunotherapy.