<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Background.</bold> Mast cell tumors (MCT) are the most common malignant cutaneous tumors in dogs with extremely variable biological behaviour. Different treatment approaches can be used in canine cutaneous MCT, with surgical excision being the treatment of choice. In this study, electrogene therapy (EGT) as a new therapeutic approach to canine MCTs, was established.<bold>Materials and methods.</bold> Eight dogs with a total of eleven cutaneous MCTs were treated with intratumoral EGT using DNA plasmid encoding human interleukin-12 (IL-12). The local response to the therapy was evaluated by repeated measurements of tumor size and histological examination of treated tumors. A possible systemic response was assessed by determination of IL-12 and interferon- γ (IFN-γ) in patients' sera. The occurence of side effects was monitored with weekly clinical examinations of treated animals and by performing basic bloodwork, consisting of the complete bloodcount and determination of selected biochemistry parameters.<bold>Results.</bold> Intratumoral EGT with <italic>IL</italic>-12 elicits significant reduction of treated tumors' size, ranging from 13% to 83% (median 50%) of the initial tumor volume. Additionally, a change in the histological structure of treated nodules was seen. There was a reduction in number of malignant mast cells and inflammatory cell infiltration of treated tumors. Systemic release of IL-12 in four patients was detected, without any noticeable local or systemic side effects.<bold>Conclusions.</bold> These data suggest that intratumoral EGT with plasmid encoding IL-12 may be useful in the treatment of canine MCTs, exerting a local antitumor effect.</abstract>

Background. Mast cell tumors (MCT) are the most common malignant cutaneous tumors in dogs with extremely variable biological behaviour. Different treatment approaches can be used in canine cutaneous MCT, with surgical excision being the treatment of choice. In this study, electrogene therapy (EGT) as a new therapeutic approach to canine MCTs, was established.Materials and methods. Eight dogs with a total of eleven cutaneous MCTs were treated with intratumoral EGT using DNA plasmid encoding human interleukin-12 (IL-12). The local response to the therapy was evaluated by repeated measurements of tumor size and histological examination of treated tumors. A possible systemic response was assessed by determination of IL-12 and interferon- γ (IFN-γ) in patients' sera. The occurence of side effects was monitored with weekly clinical examinations of treated animals and by performing basic bloodwork, consisting of the complete bloodcount and determination of selected biochemistry parameters.Results. Intratumoral EGT with IL-12 elicits significant reduction of treated tumors' size, ranging from 13% to 83% (median 50%) of the initial tumor volume. Additionally, a change in the histological structure of treated nodules was seen. There was a reduction in number of malignant mast cells and inflammatory cell infiltration of treated tumors. Systemic release of IL-12 in four patients was detected, without any noticeable local or systemic side effects.Conclusions. These data suggest that intratumoral EGT with plasmid encoding IL-12 may be useful in the treatment of canine MCTs, exerting a local antitumor effect.

Electrogene therapy with interleukin-12 in canine mast cell tumors

Veterinary Faculty Ljubljana, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Department of Experimental Oncology, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

College of Health Care Izola, University of Primorska, Izola, Slovenia

Radiology and Oncology

{"article-title":"Electrogene therapy with interleukin-12 in canine mast cell tumors"}

Background. Mast cell tumors (MCT) are the most common malignant cutaneous tumors in dogs with extremely variable biological behaviour. Different treatment...

Electrogene therapy with interleukin-12 in canine mast cell tumors

Published Online: Sep 22, 2010

Page range: 31 - 39

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10019-010-0041-9

Keywords
electroporation, electrotransfection, electrogene therapy, mast cell tumors, IL-12, IFN-γ

This content is open access.

Electrogene therapy with interleukin-12 in canine mast cell tumors

Published Online: Sep 22, 2010

Page range: 31 - 39

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10019-010-0041-9

Keywordselectroporation, electrotransfection, electrogene therapy, mast cell tumors, IL-12, IFN-γ

This content is open access.

Keywords
electroporation, electrotransfection, electrogene therapy, mast cell tumors, IL-12, IFN-γ