Adenovirus vector-mediated gene therapy using iodized oil esters for hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

When gene therapy is performed for malignant tumors, gene transfer efficiency and selectivity are extremely important. The usefulness of gene therapy by intraarterial injection of an adenovirus vector with iodized oil esters (IOEs) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was studied.HCC was induced in rats with diethyl nitrosamine and phenobarbital, after which either adenovirus vector expressing the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (AxCAHSVtk) and IOEs or AxCAHSVtk alone was injected through the hepatic artery. On postoperative days 2, 4 and 6, gancyclovir was injected into the peritoneum; blood sampling was performed on day 7.Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels in the AxCAHSVtk with IOEs group were lower than in the AxCAHSVtk alone group (p = 0.0274, p = 0.0323). However, the survival rate was not significantly different between groups (p = 0.7122).Intra-arterial injection of an adenovirus vector with IOEs can result in cancer-selective but not effective gene therapy for HCC.