EVALUATION OF ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY OF TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR ALPHA WITHIN THE ARTIFICIAL VIRUS-LIKE PARTICLE

Introduction. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is a natural cytokine, characterized by pronounced antitumor properties. A wide range of side effects serves as an obstacle for the use of TNF-α in clinical practice. One of the ways to improve its therapeutic properties is to increase the tropism of the cytokine to the tumor tissue by incorporating it into the targeted delivery system.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the antitumor activity of the preparation containing TNF-α as part of the artificial “virus-like particle” (VLP-TNF-α), developed in SRC VB “Vector” as a transport system for delivering proteins to target cells.

Materials and methods. The antitumor effect of VLP-TNF-α preparation was evaluated in experimental B16F10 melanoma model by the change of dynamics of tumor growth (volume, mass) and its morphological structure (presence of necrotic processes, blood vessel destruction). The number of the effector immune cells (CD3⁺, CD11b⁺) in the tumor tissue was determined by immunohistochemical method.

Results. It has been shown that VLP-TNF-α administered intravenously at the doses of 5 × 10⁴ and 1 × 10⁵ IU/mouse inhibits the growth of the primary tumor. The most pronounced and stable effect was observed with a five-fold administration at the dose of 1 × 10⁵ IU/mouse every other day: tumor growth inhibition was 40 % on the 1st day, and 47 % on the 7 th day upon the treatment. Injections of the preparation resulted in the increase of necrosis number, destruction level of the tumor tissue, development of damage and destruction of the tumor blood vessels and its infiltration with immunocompetent cells.

Conclusion. The obtained data indicates that TNF-α within the delivery system exerts antitumor activity, which suggests the possibility of its further use for the treatment of malignant neoplasms, in particular, melanoma.

The study was performed in accordance with ethical principles adopted by the European Convention for the protection of vertebrate animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.

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