open access: Retroviral Interferon- α Gene Transfer Potentiates Paclitaxel against Ovarian Cancer Cells

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Abstract

Objective: To analyze the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel following introduction of the retroviral interferon- α (IFN-
α) gene into epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

Design: Experimental molecular study.

Setting: University hospital research center. Sample: Epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines OV-2774 and SKOV3.
Empty vector was used as control.

Methods: The cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel on ovarian cancer cells were studied prior to and after transfection with the retrovirus-mediated inteferon- α gene. RT/PCR of the interferon gene, cell survival and cell death were analyzed to assess retroviral interferon- α gene expression after transfection.

Results: Paclitaxel inhibited cell growth in a dose dependent manner with half maximal inhibitory concentration
(IC50) of 7.5 ng/ml. Retroviral inteferon- α gene transfer-transduced cells potentiated paclitaxel response against both ovarian cancer cell lines by 68%.

Conclusion: Retrovirus-mediated IFN- α gene transfer enhanced paclitaxel cytotoxicity on ovarian cancer cells.
Retroviral IFN- α gene transfer in combination with paclitaxel may have significant clinical utility for the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancers.