In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of a Plasmid Encoding Canine Interleukin 12

Abstract

Clinical studies using gene electrotransfer of plasmid encoding human interleukin 12 (IL-12) have already shown good results when treating tumors in canine patients. Nevertheless, the use of a plasmid encoding canine IL-12 is essential for further clinical trials. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the plasmid encoding canine IL-12 in in vitro and in vivo studies and compare its activity to the plasmid encoding the human IL-12. Our results showed that after in vitro gene electrotransfer plasmid encoding canine IL-12 had similar or better IL-12 expression capacity than plasmid encoding human IL-12. Further on, the in vivo experiment in nude mice revealed that the therapeutic effect of plasmid encoding canine IL-12 after gene electrotransfer was comparable to the therapeutic effect of plasmid encoding human IL-12 after gene electrotransfer. Also, the effect on tumor growth delay was equivalent after first and second therapy, which shows that the gene electrotherapy of plasmid encoding canine IL-12 is repeatable. Therefore, our study suggests that the plasmid encoding canine IL-12 is suitable for further clinical studies in dogs.