Ultrasound-mediated interferon ß gene transfection inhibits growth of malignant melanoma.

ABSTRACT

We investigated the effects of ultrasound-mediated transfection (sonotransfection) of interferon ß (IFN-ß) gene on melanoma (C32) both in vitro and in vivo. C32 cells were sonotransfected with IFN-ß in vitro. Subcutaneous C32 tumors in mice were sonicated weekly immediately after intra-tumor injection with IFN-ß genes mixed with microbubbles. Successful sonotransfection with IFN-ß gene in vitro was confirmed by ELISA, which resulted in C32 growth inhibition. In vivo, the growth ratio of tumors transfected with IFN-ß gene was significantly lower than the other experimental groups. These results may lead to a new method of treatment against melanoma and other hard-to-treat cancers.