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Background/Aim: Lung cancer shows the highest estimated deaths in both males and females in the Unites States. Importin 7 is overexpressed in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the anticancer effect of importin 7 down-regulation, especially in lung cancer. Materials and Methods: Glycerol propoxylate triacrylate spermine (GPT-SPE) is a biocompatible carrier used for aerosol gene delivery. Repeated aerosol delivery of GPT-SPE/shImportin 7 complexes was performed to 10-week-old male K-rasLA1mice (a murine lung cancer model) twice a week for 4 weeks (8 times) in a nose-only exposure chamber. Results: Aerosol delivery of GPT-SPE/shImportin 7 inhibits lung cancer in K-rasLA1mice compared to control and scramble control groups. Moreover, importin 7-down-regulated stable cell-line demonstrates suppression of proliferation through Akt inhibition and apoptosis. Conclusion: Down-regulation of importin 7 significantly suppresses lung cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among cancers and current therapies are not efficient. Therefore, novel therapeutic methods are urgently needed. Here, we examined the effectiveness of simultaneous Akt1 inhibition and Pdcd4 over-expression using a dual expression system in suppressing tumorigenesis in K-ras(LA1) mice (a lung cancer model).An shRNA targeting Akt1 (shAkt1) and cDNA of programmed cell death protein 4 (Pdcd4) were inserted into a dual expression vector (shAkt1+Pdcd4). A sorbitol diacrylate-polyethylenimine (SDA-PEI) carrier was used because of low toxicity and high transfection efficiency. Aerosolized SDA-PEI/shAkt1+Pdcd4 complex was delivered to the mice twice a week for 4 weeks using a nose-only exposure inhalation chamber.Simultaneous Akt1 inhibition and Pdcd4 over-expression synergistically induced potent antitumor effect. Analysis revealed significant reduction in lung tumor number.Dual expression of shAkt1 and Pdcd4 effectively suppresses lung tumorigenesis.