Inhibition of STAT3 suppresses growth of retinoblastoma

Abstract

 

Purpose

 

To investigate the therapeutic potential of STAT3 inhibition in the suppression of growth of retinoblastoma

 

Methods

 

We evaluated the expression of activated STAT3 in human retinoblastoma tissues and mouse orthotopic transplantation models of retinoblastoma. Relative expressions of activated and total STAT3 were compared among normal and retinoblastoma cells (SNUOT-Rb1 and Y79) by Western blot and the levels of expression of target genes of STAT3 among cells were estimated by real time polymerase chain reaction. Retinoblastoma cells were transfected with small interfering RNA targeting STAT3 to identify the effect of STAT3 inhibition. Furthermore, we evaluated in vivo therapeutic effect of STAT3 inhibition in mouse retinoblastoma models.

 

Results

 

We showed that phosphorylated form of STAT3 was expressed in human retinoblastoma tissues and mouse retinoblastoma models. Retinoblastoma cells also demonstrated relatively high expression of activated STAT3 and target genes of STAT3 compared to those of other normal cells. STAT3 inhibition via small interfering RNA led to decreased expression of target genes of STAT3 and suppressed the growth of retinoblastoma in in vivo mouse retinoblastoma models.

 

Conclusions

 

Our results demonstrated that STAT3 inhibition might be a valuable therapeutic option against retinoblastoma.

 

 

The proportion of disfigured eyes according to the status of STAT3 inhibition. STAT3 KD, STAT3 inhibition via small interfering RNA targeting STAT3.

 

Keywords: 703 retinoblastoma