rIL-18 triggered gene therapy based on a transduction with the IL-12 plasmid : a new option as immuno-therapy for osteosarcoma?

Abstract

Gene therapy is a promising new method to treat tumors locally. Immuno-therapy for treatment of osteosarcomas is one option for hopefully improving the survival rate of patients with this tumor. Transduction of OS cells with the pCMV-IL-12neo plasmid induced a significant increase in IFN-gamma expression by mononuclear cells. This is known to induce antitumor effects mediated by the immune system. In combination with an administration of rIL-18, the IFN-gamma increase was multiplied in a dose-dependent manner. This study demonstrated that osteosarcoma cells can be targeted effectively in vitro by plasmids encoding the IL-12 gene. Considering the synergistic pathways it is reasonable to combine a local, gene transfer based on IL-12 with a rIL-18 administration to trigger the potentially promising immuno-effects for adjuvant treatment of osteosarcomas.