The use of cationic liposomes as nonviral vehicles for the delivery of therapeutic molecules is becoming increasingly prevalent in the field of gene therapy. We have previously demonstrated that the use of the @entity69 ligand (Tf) to target a cationic liposome delivery system resulted in a significant increase in the transfection efficiency of the complex [Xu, L., Pirollo, K.F., and Chang, E.H. (1997). Hum. Gene Ther. 8, 467-475]. Delivery of wild-type (wt) @entity876 to a radiation-resistant @entity213 ( @entity213 ) cell line via this ligand-targeted, liposome complex was also able to revert the radiation resistant phenotype of these cells in vitro. Here we optimized the Tf/liposome/DNA ratio of the complex (LipT) for maximum @entity5 cell targeting, even in the presence of serum. The efficient reestablishment of wtp53 function in these @entity213 cells in vitro, via the LipT complex, restored the apoptotic pathway, resulting in a significant increase in radiation-induced apoptosis that was directly proportional to the level of exogenous wtp53 in the @entity5 cells. More significantly, intravenous administration of LipT- @entity876 markedly sensitized established @entity213 nude @entity19 xenograft @entity5 to radiotherapy. The combination of systemic LipT- @entity876 gene therapy and radiation resulted in complete @entity5 regression and inhibition of their recurrence even 6 months after the end of all treatment. These results indicate that this @entity5 -specific, ligand-liposome delivery system for @entity876 gene therapy, when used in concert with conventional radiotherapy, can provide a new and more effective means of @entity5 treatment.

XXXX -liposome-mediated systemic @entity876 gene therapy in combination with radiation results in regression of human head and neck cancer xenografts.

@entity19 :: ('10090', 'Species') :: ['mouse'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor', 'cancer', 'tumors'] @entity69 :: ('7018', 'Gene') :: ['transferrin'] @entity876 :: ('7157', 'Gene') :: ['p53'] @entity213 :: ('MESH:C535575', 'Disease') :: ['squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck', 'SCCHN tumor', 'SCCHN']
@entity69 :: (7018,Gene) :: ['Transferrin']
