Background: To evaluate the anti-tumor effects of NDV and two genes of virus(HN and F) on athymic mice with human adenocarcinoma xenografts, and to investigate the mechanisms of its oncolytic role.
Methods: The experimental model of lung adenocarcinoma xenograft was established. The two experimental groups of athymic mice were given intratumoral injections of NDV and plasmids only once, and compared with PBS controls in the same time. Measure the volume of tumors for 5 weeks and make a curve of the volume. These mice were killed after 5 weeks, and the weight of the tumors was measured. The histological and ultrastructral changes were observed by electromicroscope and microscope.
Results: After one injection of live NDV and plasmids, the tumor growth was significantly suppressed (The median inhibitory rate was 71.62% and 79.40% respectively). The median weight of tumor of mice treated with NDV was remarkably lower than that of mice treated with PBS, and that of the mice treated with plasmids (P<0.01). 14% of the control group had liver and lung metastasis of the tumor, but no metastasis was found in the experimental groups. A great quantity of NDV viron budding was found in the NDV group.
Conclusions: NDV could replicate in human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts, leading directly to a potent anti-tumor effect after one injection of live NDV. During the oncolytic process, the gene HN and gene F may play an important role.