Nanoliposome-mediated FL/TRAIL double-gene therapy for colon cancer: In vitro and in vivo evaluation

Abstract

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of cationic nanoliposome-mediated gene therapy combined with immunotherapy for colon cancer treatment. Methods Recombinant plasmids containing green and red fluorescent protein reporter genes were constructed using gene cloning methods. Gene-carrying cationic nanoliposomes were prepared based on the electrostatic adherence principle and then transfected into dendritic cells (DC), which were transplanted into colon cancer cells. Results Recombinant plasmids containing green or red fluorescent protein reporter genes were successfully constructed by gene cloning and confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing. Gene-carrying cationic nanoliposomes were transfected into colon cancer cells, and good gene expression was detected. A better level of apoptosis was observed in the combined group of tyrosine kinase receptor 3 ligand (FL) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), while the lowest level was detected in the control group. The parameters in the FL and TRAIL groups were between the above-mentioned combined group. Conclusion Cationic nanoliposomes have the advantage of being gene carriers. The joint therapeutic effects of the two genes are superior to those of a single gene. Gene therapy combined with immunotherapy has significant implications for cancer treatment.