OBJECTIVETo construct replication selective adenovirus AdhepE1 targeting human melanoma and observe its specific killing of human melanoma cells in vitro.

METHODSAdenovirus E1 region, the murine tyrosinase promoter and enhancer DNA sequences were acquired respectively by PCR cloning. The shuttle plasmid of replication-selective adenovirus targeting human melanoma was constructed by DNA recombination. Replication-selective adenovirus AdhepE1 was generated by homologous recombination. The human melanoma cell line SK-Mel-1 and hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 were attacked separately by lower dose of AdhepE1. Change of cell morphology was observed and the surviving cells were calculated. The expression of E1A was assayed by RT-PCR to verify the specific-replication of AdhepE1.

RESULTSReplication selective adenovirus AdhepE1 targeting human melanoma was acquired by PCR. Human melanoma cell line SK-Mel-1 was sensitive to oncolytic killing of AdhepE1 whereas HepG2 was little responsive. The results of RT-PCR suggested that AdhepE1 replicated specifically in human melanoma cells.

CONCLUSIONAdhepE1 can selectively kill human melanoma cells.