PURPOSE: The radiosensitizing effect of IL-3 gene therapy was evaluated on the syngeneic mouse prostate cancer model.
METHODS AND MATERIALS: An adenoviral vector was used to deliver the mIL-3 alpha gene into syngeneic murine prostate (TRAMP-C1) cancer cells growing in a subcutaneous site and the tumor response to irradiation was assessed.
RESULTS: Ad-mIL-3 gene therapy showed no tumor growth delay without radiation. However, intratumoral Ad-mIL-3 injection with radiation therapy showed marked tumor growth delay that was significantly greater than that of radiation alone.
CONCLUSIONS: The combined intratumoral Ad-mIL-3 gene therapy and radiation therapy is a valuable option for further clinical evaluation.