OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect and reasons of liposomes survivin antisense oligonucleotides (ASODN) on growth of human gastric carcinoma transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice.

METHODSHuman gastric carcinoma transplanted subcutaneously in nude mice model was established, and subsequently was divided randomly into six groups: control group, liposome group, sense oligonucleotide (SODN) group, 100, 200 and 400 nmol/L ASODN group. Different treatments were given respectively. The weight and volume of subcutaneous tumors were measured, and tumor growth inhibitory rate and decreased rate was calculated. The morphological changes of transplanted tumor cells were observed under light microscope. The expression of survivin was detected by immunohistology (SP). Changes of survivin gene transcription and protein expression were determined by western blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTSGrowth of the tumors was significantly inhibited in all ASODN groups as compared with that in the control, liposome and SODN group. The highest growth inhibitory rate in the 400 nmol/L group is 93%. The number of apoptotic cells of ASODN group increased and expression of survivin became weaken under the microscope. Liquified necrosis regions could be seen in 6 cases (6/12) of tumor tissues. The content of survivin mRNA and protein decreased in all survivin ASODN groups. The survivin protein expression of 400 nmol/L group was about 36.8% of the control group.

CONCLUSIONSSurvivin gene ASODN can inhibit the growth of human gastric carcinoma in nude mice by inducing cells apoptosis and decreasing the expression of survivin mRNA and protein.