OBJECTIVETo determine the efficacy of adenovirus mediated suicide gene transduction combined with prodrug 5-fluorocytosine (5FC) as a therapeutic protocol for pancreatic cancer.

METHODSCytosine Deaminase(CD) gene was cloned into pAdTrack-CMV-CD, pAdTrack-CMV-CD and pAdEasy-1 were recombined in bacteria. The newly recombined adenovirus (Ad)-CD containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) were packaged and propagated in 293 cells and purified by cesium chloride gradient centrifugation. Human pancreatic carcinoma cell line-Patu8988 was infected with this virus, then 5FC was added. XTT assay was used to estimate relative numbers of viable cells. In vivo model of pancreatic cancer was established by injecting 1.0 x 10(7) Patu8988 cells subcutaneously in Balb/c nude mice. When tumors were palpable, Ad-CD was injected into each tumor and 5FC was administered.

RESULTSPositive clones were selected using endonuclease to digest the recombinants and the concentration of viral liquids containing the CD gene was 2 x 10(11) pfu /ml. Significant cytotoxic activity as shown for 5FC in the CD gene transduced 8988 cell line, while little effect was found in the nontransduced pancreatic carcinoma cells. Antitumor effect was observed in Patu8988 xenograft nude mice with in situ CD gene transduction.

CONCLUSIONSCD gene mediated by adenovirus has high infectivity and may be useful for gene therapy in pancreatic carcinoma. These data demonstrate the use of an enzyme prodrug strategy in experimental pancreatic cancer.