Synthetic anti-cancer gene medicine exploits intrinsic anti-tumour activity of cationic vector to cure established tumours

Dufes, C., Keith, W.N. , Proutski, I., Bilsland, A. , Uchegbu, I.F. and Schõtzlein, A.G. (2005) Synthetic anti-cancer gene medicine exploits intrinsic anti-tumour activity of cationic vector to cure established tumours. Cancer Research, 65(18), pp. 8079-8084. (doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-04-4402)

Abstract

The systemic delivery of genetic therapies required for the treatment of inaccessible tumors and metastases remains a challenge despite the development of various viral and synthetic vector systems. Here we show that a synthetic vector system based on polypropylenimine dendrimers has the desired properties of a systemic delivery vehicle and mediates efficient transgene expression in tumors after i.v. administration. The systemic tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) gene therapy was efficacious in the experimental treatment of established A431 epidermoid carcinoma, C33a cervix carcinoma, and LS174T colorectal adenocarcinoma. Specifically, the systemic injection of dendrimer nanoparticles containing a TNFα expression plasmid regulated by telomerase gene promoters (hTR and hTERT) leads to transgene expression, regression of remote xenograft murine tumors, and long-term survival of up to 100% of the animals. Interestingly, these dendrimers and, to a lesser extent, other common polymeric transfection agents also exhibit plasmid-independent antitumor activity, ranging from pronounced growth retardation to complete tumor regression. The genetic therapy as well as treatment with dendrimer alone was well tolerated with no apparent signs of toxicity in the animals. The combination of intrinsic dendrimer activity and transcriptionally targeted TNFα when complexed was significantly more potent than either treatment alone or when both were administered in sequence. The combination of pharmacologically active synthetic transfection agent and transcriptionally targeted antitumor gene creates an efficacious gene medicine for the systemic treatment of experimental solid tumors.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bilsland, Dr Alan and Keith, Professor Nicol
• Authors: Dufes, C., Keith, W.N., Proutski, I., Bilsland, A., Uchegbu, I.F., and Schõtzlein, A.G.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Cancer Research
• ISSN: 0008-5472