Growth inhibition and chemosensitivity of poorly differentiated human thyroid cancer cell line (NPA) transfected with p53 gene

Background We investigated whether retroviral p53 transfection could enhance growth inhibition and chemosensitivity in a p53 mutant papillary thyroid cancer cell line (NPA). Methods NPA cells were transfected with either LXSN/p53 or mock infection in the presence of Adriamycin. Gene expression was confirmed by western blotting. Nude mice were injected subcutaneously with NPA cells after transfection with either LXSN/p53 or mock infection on opposite sides, and the tumor growth was compared. Results There was a dose‐dependent inhibition of tumor growth with LXSN/p53 transfection. Tumor growth was inhibited more by p53 gene transfection relative to mock transfection in the presence of Adriamycin. Conclusion These treatment modalities could be beneficial in the treatment of p53 mutant positive thyroid cancers. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 223–229, 2001.