Effect of Bcl-2 Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides on Human Lung Carcinoma Transplanted Subcutaneously in Nude Mice

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effects of the Bcl-2 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODN) on tumor formation and growth of human lung carcinoma transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice. Methods: Human NCI-H460 cells treated with Bcl-2 ASODN or nonesense oligodeoxynucleotide (NSODN) and untreated NCI-H460 cells were respectively implanted subcutaneously into nude mice.When the diameters of tumor were above 0.5 cm after untreated NCI-H460 cells injection, the mice bearing tumor were randomly divided into three groups: saline control group, Bcl-2 ASODN group, NSODN group. ODN was directly injected into the tumor body for 3 weeks. The weight and volume of subcutaneous tumors were measured, and the morphology of tumor cells was observed. Results: The tumorigenic ability of the treated NCI-H460 cells by Bcl-2 ASODN was reduced. The mean time at which tumor can be detected was prolonged up to 12.6 days (P<0.01). The maximum tumor growth inhibitory rate was 87.5%. In therapeutic efficacy, growth of tumor was significantly inhibited in Bcl-2 ASODN group as compared with that in NSODN group, saline-treated group (P<0.01). The NSODN control was ineffective. In comparison with NSODN-treated, saline-treated mice, those treated with Bcl-2 ASODN showed a significant decrease in median weight of subcutaneous tumors (P<0.01). The growth inhibitory rate was 71.0% in ASODN group. Conclusion: Bcl-2 ASODN could inhibit tumor formation and tumor growth in nude mice.