Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2006

Publication Title

Clinical Cancer Research

Volume

12

Issue

10

Pages

3177-3183

DOI

10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-2727

Abstract

PURPOSE: Interleukin-12 (IL-12) has potential as an immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer but is unfortunately associated with toxicity. Delivery of a plasmid encoding IL-12 with electroporation induces an antitumor effect in the B16 mouse melanoma model without serious side effects. To translate this observation to the clinic, an evaluation of toxicity was done in the mouse model.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Weight change, tumor response, blood chemistry and hematology values, and serum IL-12 levels were evaluated. Multiple tissues were analyzed histopathologically.

RESULTS: A pronounced reduction in tumor volume, including a large percentage of complete regressions, was observed after electrically mediated gene therapy. No significant increases in serum IL-12 levels were detected. Tumor-bearing mice showed an increased number of atypical hematology values when compared with normal naive controls. Statistically significant differences in chemistry and hematology values were observed sporadically in most of the standard chemistry and hematology categories in all groups. The only histopathologic abnormality specific to the animals receiving both plasmid and electroporation was inflammation associated with the kidney at the last time point.

CONCLUSIONS: In general, mice that received both plasmid and electroporation showed the least abnormal histopathologic findings and were found to be in the best health, reflecting the reduced burden of disease. No significant toxic effects due to the IL-12 gene therapy were observed.

Original Publication Citation

Heller, L., Merkler, K., Westover, J., Cruz, Y., Coppola, D., Benson, K., . . . Heller, R. (2006). Evaluation of toxicity following electrically mediated interleukin-12 gene delivery in a B16 mouse melanoma model. Clinical Cancer Research, 12(10), 3177-3183. doi:10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-2727

ORCID

0000-0001-8084-0787 (Heller, L.), 0000-0003-1899-3859 (Heller, R.)

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