Inhibitory effects of bcl-xl antisense oligodeoxynucleotides on growth of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma in nude mice / 中华肿瘤杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inhibitory effects of bcl-xl antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODN) on growth and gene expression of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in nude mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CNE-2Z cell line was implanted subcutaneously into nude mice. Twenty four h after implantation, bcl-xl ASODN and mismatch control oligonucleotides (SCODN) were injected subcutaneously into nude mice, respectively. The tumor volume and weight were measured twice weekly. The histopathological changes of the tumors were observed by HE staining. RT-PCR and Western-blot were performed for bcl-xl gene expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Growth of NPC was significantly inhibited in the ASODN therapy group as compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). The growth inhibitory rate was 41.7% in the ASODN group and 19.0% in the SCODN group. The expression level of bcl-xl mRNA and protein was decreased in the ASODN group, whereas in the SCODN group there was no significant difference in contrast with saline-treated control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our findings suggest that bcl-xl antisense oligodeoxynucleotides results in marked inhibition of NPC growth in nude mice. It may be a novel treatment approach for human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.</p>