A double-modulation strategy in cancer treatment with a chemotherapeutic agent and siRNA

Mol Ther. 2011 Nov;19(11):2040-7. doi: 10.1038/mt.2011.174. Epub 2011 Aug 30.

Abstract

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is broadly considered the drug of choice for treating human colorectal cancer (CRC). However, 5-FU resistance, mainly caused by the overexpression of antiapoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, often leads ultimately to treatment failure. We here investigated the effect of Bcl-2 gene silencing, using small interfering RNA (siRNA) (siBcl-2), on the efficacy of 5-FU in CRC. Transfection of siBcl-2 by a Lipofectamine2000/siRNA lipoplex effectively downregulated Bcl-2 expression in the DLD-1 cell line (a CRC), resulting in significant cell growth inhibition in vitro upon treatment with 5-FU. For in vivo treatments, S-1, an oral formulation of Tegafur (TF), a prodrug of 5-FU, was used to mimic 5-FU infusion. The combined treatment of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated siBcl-2-lipoplex and S-1 showed superior tumor growth suppression in a DLD-1 xenograft model, compared to each single treatment. Surprisingly, daily S-1 treatment enhanced the accumulation of PEG-coated siBcl-2-lipoplex in tumor tissue. We propose a novel double modulation strategy in cancer treatment, in which chemotherapy enhances intratumoral siRNA delivery and the delivered siRNA enhances the chemosensitivity of tumors. Combination of siRNA-containing nanocarriers with chemotherapy may compensate for the limited delivery of siRNA to tumor tissue. In addition, such modulation strategy may be considered a promising therapeutic approach to successfully managing 5-FU-resistant tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Drug Combinations
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genes, bcl-2
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Oxonic Acid / pharmacology
  • Oxonic Acid / therapeutic use
  • RNA, Small Interfering* / metabolism
  • Tegafur / pharmacology
  • Tegafur / therapeutic use
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • S 1 (combination)
  • Tegafur
  • Oxonic Acid