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The past, present, and future of chemotherapy with a focus on individualization of drug dosing. J Control Release 2022; 352:840-860. [PMID: 36334860 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
While there have been rapid advances in developing new and more targeted drugs to treat cancer, much less progress has been made in individualizing dosing. Even though the introduction of immunotherapies such as CAR T-cells and checkpoint inhibitors, as well as personalized therapies that target specific mutations, have transformed clinical treatment of cancers, chemotherapy remains a mainstay in oncology. Chemotherapies are typically dosed on either a body surface area (BSA) or weight basis, which fails to account for pharmacokinetic differences between patients. Drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion rates can vary between patients, resulting in considerable differences in exposure to the active drugs. These differences result in suboptimal dosing, which can reduce efficacy and increase side-effects. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), genotype guided dosing, and chronomodulation have been developed to address this challenge; however, despite improving clinical outcomes, they are rarely implemented in clinical practice for chemotherapies. Thus, there is a need to develop interventions that allow for individualized drug dosing of chemotherapies, which can help maximize the number of patients that reach the most efficacious level of drug in the blood while mitigating the risks of underdosing or overdosing. In this review, we discuss the history of the development of chemotherapies, their mechanisms of action and how they are dosed. We discuss substantial intraindividual and interindividual variability in chemotherapy pharmacokinetics. We then propose potential engineering solutions that could enable individualized dosing of chemotherapies, such as closed-loop drug delivery systems and bioresponsive biomaterials.
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Willems S, Morstein J, Hinnah K, Trauner D, Merk D. A Photohormone for Light-Dependent Control of PPARα in Live Cells. J Med Chem 2021; 64:10393-10402. [PMID: 34213899 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Photopharmacology enables the optical control of several biochemical processes using small-molecule photoswitches that exhibit different bioactivities in their cis- and trans-conformations. Such tool compounds allow for high spatiotemporal control of biological signaling, and the approach also holds promise for the development of drug molecules that can be locally activated to reduce target-mediated adverse effects. Herein, we present the expansion of the photopharmacological arsenal to two new members of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) family, PPARα and PPARδ. We have developed a set of highly potent PPARα and PPARδ targeting photohormones derived from the weak pan-PPAR agonist GL479 that can be deactivated by light. The photohormone 6 selectively activated PPARα in its trans-conformation with high selectivity over the related PPAR subtypes and was used in live cells to switch PPARα activity on and off in a light- and time-dependent fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Johannes Morstein
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Konstantin Hinnah
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Dirk Trauner
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, New York, New York 10003, United States
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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3
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Strøm TB, Bjune K, Costa LTD, Leren TP. Strategies to prevent cleavage of the linker region between ligand-binding repeats 4 and 5 of the LDL receptor. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 28:3734-3741. [PMID: 31332430 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A main strategy for lowering plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels is to increase the number of cell-surface LDL receptors (LDLRs). This can be achieved by increasing the synthesis or preventing the degradation of the LDLR. One mechanism by which an LDLR becomes non-functional is enzymatic cleavage within the 10 residue linker region between ligand-binding repeats 4 and 5. The cleaved LDLR has only three ligand-binding repeats and is unable to bind LDL. In this study, we have performed cell culture experiments to identify strategies to prevent this cleavage. As a part of these studies, we found that Asp193 within the linker region is critical for cleavage to occur. Moreover, both 14-mer synthetic peptides and antibodies directed against the linker region prevented cleavage. As a consequence, more functional LDLRs were observed on the cell surface. The observation that the cleaved LDLR was present in extracts from the human adrenal gland indicates that cleavage of the linker region takes place in vivo. Thus, preventing cleavage of the LDLR by pharmacological measures could represent a novel lipid-lowering strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thea Bismo Strøm
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Katrine Bjune
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Luís Teixeira da Costa
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trond P Leren
- Unit for Cardiac and Cardiovascular Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Parker WB, Sorscher EJ. Use of E. coli Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase in the Treatment of Solid Tumors. Curr Pharm Des 2017; 23:CPD-EPUB-86774. [PMID: 29119917 PMCID: PMC6224313 DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666171109101851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The selective expression of non-human genes in tumor tissue to activate non-toxic compounds (Gene Directed Prodrug Enzyme Therapy, GDEPT) is a novel strategy designed for killing tumor cells in patients with little or no systemic toxicity. Numerous non-human genes have been evaluated, but none have yet been successful in the clinic. METHODS Unlike human purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), E. coli PNP accepts adenine containing nucleosides as substrates, and is therefore able to selectively activate non-toxic purine analogs in tumor tissue. Various in vitro and in vivo assays have been utilized to evaluate E. coli PNP as a potential activating enzyme. RESULTS We and others have demonstrated excellent in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity with various GDEPT strategies utilizing E. coli PNP to activate purine nucleoside analogs. A phase I clinical trial utilizing recombinant adenoviral vector for delivery of E. coli PNP to solid tumors followed by systemic administration of fludarabine phosphate (NCT01310179; IND# 14271) has recently been completed. In this trial, significant anti-tumor activity was demonstrated with negligible toxicity related to the therapy. The mechanism of cell kill (inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis) is distinct from all currently used anticancer drugs and all experimental compounds under development. The approach has demonstrated excellent ability to kill neighboring tumor cells that do not express E. coli PNP, is active against non-proliferating and proliferating tumors cells (as well as tumor stem cells, stroma), and is therefore very effective against solid tumors with a low growth fraction. CONCLUSION The unique attributes distinguish this approach from other GDEPT strategies and are precisely those required to mediate significant improvements in antitumor therapy.
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Pereira-Castro I, Costa AMS, Oliveira MJ, Barbosa I, Rocha AS, Azevedo L, da Costa LT. Characterization of human NLZ1/ZNF703 identifies conserved domains essential for proper subcellular localization and transcriptional repression. J Cell Biochem 2013; 114:120-33. [PMID: 22886885 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
NET family members have recently emerged as important players in the development of multiple structures, from the trachea of fly larvae to the vertebrate eye and human breast cancers. However, their mechanisms of action are still poorly understood, and we lack a detailed characterization of their functional domains, as well as gene expression patterns-particularly in adult mammals. Here, we present a characterization of human NLZ1/ZNF703 (NocA-like zinc finger 1/Zinc finger 703), one of the two human NET family member genes. We show that the gene is ubiquitously expressed in adult human and mouse tissues, that three mRNA species with the same coding sequence are generated by alternative polyadenylation, and that the encoded protein contains six evolutionarily conserved domains, three of which are specific to NET proteins. Finally, we present functional evidence that these domains are necessary for proper subcellular distribution of and transcription repression by the NLZ1 protein, but not for its interaction with Groucho family co-repressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Pereira-Castro
- IPATIMUP-Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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6
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Fu W, Lan H, Liang S, Gao T, Ren D. Suicide gene/prodrug therapy using salmonella-mediated delivery of Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase gene and 6-methoxypurine 2'-deoxyriboside in murine mammary carcinoma 4T1 model. Cancer Sci 2008; 99:1172-9. [PMID: 18429958 PMCID: PMC11158249 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2008.00808.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2007] [Revised: 02/18/2008] [Accepted: 02/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Attenuated salmonella have been reported to be capable of both selectively growing in tumors and expressing exogenous genes for tumor-targeted therapy. As 6-methoxypurine 2'-deoxyriboside (MoPdR) is similar to 6-methylpurine 2'-deoxyriboside in structure, we aimed to evaluate the antitumoral effect of the Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (ePNP) gene, using an attenuated salmonella-mediated delivery system, in combination with MoPdR. A novel mutant serovar Typhimurium (SC36) was used to carry the pEGFP-C1-ePNP vector that contains an enhanced green fluorescent protein and an ePNP gene under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter. The function of the ePNP expression vector was confirmed in vitro using the enzymic conversion of MoPdR into methoxypurine. We also observed a high bystander effect induced by the ePNP/MoPdR system with a very low proportion (1%) of ePNP-positive cells and 5 microg/mL MoPdR, although the growth of parental cells was affected appreciably by MoPdR. The killing effect and increased apoptosis induced by SC36 carrying the ePNP expression vector (SC/ePNP) were detected by cytotoxicity assay and propidium iodide staining flow cytometry analysis, in combination with MoPdR. SC/ePNP was given orally to mice bearing mammary carcinomas, and its antitumor effect was evaluated. SC/ePNP plus MoPdR significantly inhibited tumor growth by approximately 86.6-88.7% and prolonged the survival of tumor-hosting mice. Our data support the view that MoPdR combined with the ePNP gene could be used in gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy. Attenuated salmonella could be a promising strategy to improve ePNP/MoPdR bystander killing due to its preferential accumulation and anticancer activity in tumors.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Apoptosis/physiology
- Blotting, Western
- Bystander Effect
- Caspase 3/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Escherichia coli/enzymology
- Female
- Genes, Transgenic, Suicide
- Genetic Therapy
- Genetic Vectors
- Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics
- Humans
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/drug therapy
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/pathology
- Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Nude
- Prodrugs/therapeutic use
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Purine Nucleosides/therapeutic use
- Purine-Nucleoside Phosphorylase/genetics
- Salmonella/genetics
- Transcription, Genetic
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Fu
- The State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, Fudan University, 220 Han Dan Road, Shanghai 200433, China
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7
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Fu W, Lan H, Li S, Han X, Gao T, Ren D. Synergistic antitumor efficacy of suicide/ePNP gene and 6-methylpurine 2'-deoxyriboside via Salmonella against murine tumors. Cancer Gene Ther 2008; 15:474-84. [PMID: 18437183 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2008.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Some anaerobes and facultative anaerobes have been used in tumor-specific gene therapy by reason of their selective growth in tumors. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the anticancer efficacy of attenuated Salmonella typhimurium as a carrier to deliver the Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (ePNP) gene for GDEPT (gene-directed enzyme-prodrug therapy). A live attenuated purine-auxotrophic strain of S. typhimurium (SC36) was used to carry the pEGFP-C1-ePNP vector that contains a green fluorescent protein (GFP) and an ePNP gene under the control of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. The function of the ePNP expression vector was confirmed in vitro using the enzymic conversion of 6-methylpurine 2'-deoxyriboside (MePdR) into 6-methylpurine. We also observed a high bystander effect induced by the ePNP/MePdR system with a very low proportion (1%) of ePNP-positive cells. The killing effect and increased apoptosis induced by SC/ePNP (SC36 carrying the ePNP expression vector) infection were detected by cytotoxicity assay and PI staining flow cytometry analysis, in combination with MePdR administration. Furthermore, SC/ePNP was administered orally into mice bearing melanomas or pulmonary tumors, and its anti-tumor effect was evaluated. When the tumor was huge (500 mm(3)) at the beginning of MePdR administration, SC/ePNP plus MepdR significantly inhibited tumor growth by about 59-80% and prolonged survival of mice. Complete tumor regression and long-term cure were achieved by MePdR administration, even when the tumor was large (100 mm(3)) at the beginning of MePdR treatment. Our data support a hopeful view that tumor-targeting SC36 could improve antitumor efficacy of the ePNP/MePdR system due to its preferential accumulation and anticancer activity in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Fu
- State Key Lab of Genetic Engineering, Department of Genetics, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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8
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Kikuchi E, Menendez S, Ozu C, Ohori M, Cordon-Cardo C, Logg CR, Kasahara N, Bochner BH. Delivery of replication-competent retrovirus expressing Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase increases the metabolism of the prodrug, fludarabine phosphate and suppresses the growth of bladder tumor xenografts. Cancer Gene Ther 2007; 14:279-86. [PMID: 17218950 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7701013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
We have developed unique replication-competent retroviral (RCR) vectors based on murine leukemia virus that provide improved efficiency of viral delivery, allow for long-term transgene expression and demonstrate an intrinsic selectivity for transduction of rapidly dividing tumor cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vivo transduction efficiency and the therapeutic efficacy of the RCR vector mediated delivery of Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) in combination with fludarabine phosphate for bladder cancer. We constructed vectors containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene (ACE)-GFP) or PNP gene (ACE-PNP). KU-19-19 bladder tumors exhibited 28.3+/-16.1, 46.6+/-5.8 and 93.7+/-7.8% of GFP expression on 14, 18 and 26 days after intratumoral injection of ACE-GFP, respectively. GFP expression could not be observed in normal tissues surrounding the injected tumors. No detectable polymerase chain reaction products of GFP gene could be observed in any distant organs. Intratumoral injection of ACE-PNP, followed by systemically administered fludarabine phosphate, significantly inhibited the growth of pre-established KU-19-19 tumors. Our results indicate that RCR vectors are a potentially efficient gene delivery method and that the RCR vector mediated PNP gene transfer and fludarabine phosphate treatment might be a novel and potentially therapeutic modality for bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kikuchi
- Department of Urology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
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9
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Kim IA, Shin JH, Kim IH, Kim JH, Kim JS, Wu HG, Chie EK, Ha SW, Park CI, Kao GD. Histone deacetylase inhibitor-mediated radiosensitization of human cancer cells: class differences and the potential influence of p53. Clin Cancer Res 2006; 12:940-9. [PMID: 16467109 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-05-1230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDI) are emerging as potentially useful components of the anticancer armamentarium and as useful tools to dissect mechanistic pathways. HDIs that globally inhibit histone deacetylases (HDAC) have radiosensitizing effects, but the relative contribution of specific HDAC classes remains unclear. Newly characterized HDIs are now available that preferentially inhibit specific HDAC classes, including SK7041 (inhibits class I HDACs) and splitomicin (inhibits class III HDACs). We investigated in human cancer cells the relative radiosensitizations that result from blocking specific HDAC classes. We found that trichostatin A (TSA; inhibitor of both class I and II HDACs) was the most effective radiosensitizer, followed by the class I inhibitor SK7041, whereas splitomicin (inhibitor of class III) had least effect. Interestingly, radiosensitization by TSA in cell lines expressing p53 was more pronounced than in isogenic lines lacking p53. Radiosensitization of cells expressing p53 by TSA was reduced by pifithrin-alpha, a small-molecule inhibitor of p53. In contrast, the radiosensitization by TSA of cells expressing low levels of p53 was enhanced by transfection of wild-type p53-expressing vector or pretreatment with leptomycin B, an inhibitor of nuclear export that increased intracellular levels of p53. These effects on radiosensitization were respectively muted or not seen in cells treated with SK7041 or splitomicin. To our knowledge, this may be among the first systematic investigations of the comparative anticancer effects of inhibiting specific classes of HDACs, with results suggesting differences in the degrees of radiosensitization, which in some cell lines may be influenced by p53 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Ah Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
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10
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Lee YJ, Chung DY, Lee SJ, Ja Jhon G, Lee YS. Enhanced radiosensitization of p53 mutant cells by oleamide. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2006; 64:1466-74. [PMID: 16580498 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2005.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2005] [Revised: 11/27/2005] [Accepted: 11/29/2005] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Effect of oleamide, an endogenous fatty-acid primary amide, on tumor cells exposed to ionizing radiation (IR) has never before been explored. METHODS AND MATERIALS NCI H460, human lung cancer cells, and human astrocytoma cell lines, U87 and U251, were used. The cytotoxicity of oleamide alone or in combination with IR was determined by clonogenic survival assay, and induction of apoptosis was estimated by FACS analysis. Protein expressions were confirmed by Western blotting, and immunofluorescence analysis of Bax by use of confocal microscopy was also performed. The combined effect of IR and oleamide to suppress tumor growth was studied by use of xenografts in the thighs of nude mice. RESULTS Oleamide in combination with IR had a synergistic effect that decreased clonogenic survival of lung-carcinoma cell lines and also sensitized xenografts in nude mice. Enhanced induction of apoptosis of the cells by the combined treatment was mediated by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, which resulted in the activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3 accompanied by cytochrome c release and Bid cleavage. The synergistic effects of the combined treatment were more enhanced in p53 mutant cells than in p53 wild-type cells. In p53 wild-type cells, both oleamide and radiation induced Bax translocation to mitochondria. On the other hand, in p53 mutant cells, radiation alone slightly induced Bax translocation to mitochondria, whereas oleamide induced a larger translocation. CONCLUSIONS Oleamide may exhibit synergistic radiosensitization in p53 mutant cells through p53-independent Bax translocation to mitochondria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Jin Lee
- Laboratory of Radiation Effect, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea
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11
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Bharara S, Sorscher EJ, Gillespie GY, Lindsey JR, Hong JS, Curlee KV, Allan PW, Gadi VK, Alexander SA, Secrist JA, Parker WB, Waud WR. Antibiotic-mediated chemoprotection enhances adaptation of E. coli PNP for herpes simplex virus-based glioma therapy. Hum Gene Ther 2005; 16:339-47. [PMID: 15812229 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2005.16.339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The E. coli PNP suicide gene sensitizes solid tumors to nucleoside prodrugs, such as 6-methylpurine-2'-deoxyriboside (MeP-dR). In this study using lentiviral, MuLv, and HSV-based gene transfer, we quantified thresholds for inhibition of tumor growth and bystander killing by E. coli PNP and tested the role of intestinal flora in this process. Regressions of human glioma tumors following retroviral transduction exhibited dose dependence on both the level of PNP expression and the dose of MeP-dR administered, including strong tumor inhibition when 90-99% bystander cells comprised the tumor mass. A replication competent, non-neurovirulent herpes simplex virus (HSV) deficient in both copies of the gamma-1 34.5 gene was next engineered to express E. coli PNP under the egr-1 promoter (HSV-PNP). HSV-PNP injected intratumorally (17 million pfu/0.05 ml) in nude mice bearing 300 mg human glioma flank tumors produced a delay in tumor growth (approximately 24 days delay to one doubling). MeP-dR treatment after antibiotic therapy (to eliminate enteric flora encoding PNP enzymes) resulted in antitumor enhancement, with arrest of tumor growth (delay to doubling >50 days). Bystander killing of the magnitude described here has been difficult to accomplish with other suicide genes, such as HSV-tk or cytosine deaminase. The results establish a model for applying E. coli PNP to HSV treatment of glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suman Bharara
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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12
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Bouralexis S, Findlay DM, Evdokiou A. Death to the bad guys: targeting cancer via Apo2L/TRAIL. Apoptosis 2005; 10:35-51. [PMID: 15711921 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-005-6060-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
All higher organisms consist of an ordered society of individual cells that must communicate to maintain and regulate their functions. This is achieved through a complex but highly regulated network of hormones, chemical mediators, chemokines and other cytokines, acting as ligands for intra or extra-cellular receptors. Ligands and receptors of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamilies are examples of signal transducers, whose integrated actions influence the development, homeostasis and adaptive responses of many cells and tissue types. Apo2L/TRAIL is one of several members of the tumour necrosis factor superfamily that induce apoptosis through the engagement of death receptors. Apo2L/TRAIL interacts with an unusually complex receptor system, which in humans comprises two death receptors and three decoy receptors. This molecule has received considerable attention recently because of the finding that many cancer cell types are sensitive to Apo2L/TRAIL-induced apoptosis, while most normal cells appear to be resistant to this action of Apo2L/TRAIL. In this review, we specifically emphasise on the actions of Apo2L/TRAIL with respect to its apoptotic signaling pathways and summarise what is known about its physiological role. The potential therapeutic usefulness of Apo2L/TRAIL, especially in combination with chemotherapeutic agents, is also discussed in some detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bouralexis
- St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, 3065, Victoria, Australia.
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13
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Ahrendt SA, Hu Y, Buta M, McDermott MP, Benoit N, Yang SC, Wu L, Sidransky D. p53 mutations and survival in stage I non-small-cell lung cancer: results of a prospective study. J Natl Cancer Inst 2003; 95:961-70. [PMID: 12837832 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/95.13.961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The p53 gene is frequently mutated in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the effect of p53 gene mutations on patient prognosis remains unclear. Therefore, we initiated a prospective study to determine the association of p53 gene mutations with survival in patients with stage I NSCLC. METHODS Tumor samples were collected prospectively from 188 patients with operable NSCLC (stages I, II, and IIIA). p53 mutations were detected by direct dideoxynucleotide sequencing and p53 GeneChip analysis. Association of clinical and pathologic variables (e.g., alcohol consumption, sex, age, pathologic stage) with mutation of the p53 gene was determined by logistic regression. Associations between p53 mutation status, clinical and pathologic variables, and survival were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS p53 mutations were detected in 55% (104/188) of tumors. These mutations were associated with non-bronchoalveolar tumors, a history of alcohol consumption, and younger patient age. The risk of death was statistically significantly higher in patients with p53 mutations in their tumors (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0 to 2.4; P =.049) than in patients with wild-type p53 in their tumors. Tumor stage, the presence of a p53 mutation, and increasing patient age were statistically significant predictors of patient death in the entire patient group; however, the statistically significant prognostic effect of p53 mutation was limited to patients with stage I NSCLC (stage I HR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.4 to 5.6; stage II HR = 1.8, 95% CI = 0.74 to 4.4; and stage III HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.32 to 1.5). Among patients with stage I NSCLC, actuarial 4-year survival was statistically significantly higher in those with wild-type p53 than in those with mutant p53 (78% versus 52%, respectively; difference in 4-year survival = 26%, 95% CI = 6% to 46%; P =.009, log-rank test). CONCLUSION Tumor p53 mutations are a statistically significant predictor of poor outcome in patients with stage I NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Ahrendt
- Department of Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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14
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Zhou L, An N, Haydon RC, Zhou Q, Cheng H, Peng Y, Jiang W, Luu HH, Vanichakarn P, Szatkowski JP, Park JY, Breyer B, He TC. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI-571/Gleevec down-regulates the beta-catenin signaling activity. Cancer Lett 2003; 193:161-70. [PMID: 12706873 PMCID: PMC4527752 DOI: 10.1016/s0304-3835(03)00013-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Beta-Catenin is a critical transducer of the Wnt signal pathway and plays an important role in many developmental and cellular processes. Deregulation of beta-catenin signaling has been observed in a broad range of human tumors. In this report, we investigated whether tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI-571 could inhibit the beta-catenin signaling activity and hence suppress cell proliferation. Our results demonstrated that STI-571 effectively inhibited the constitutive activity of beta-catenin signaling in human colon cancer cells as well as the Wnt1-induced activation of beta-catenin signaling in HOS, HTB-94, and HEK 293 cells. Furthermore, STI-571 was shown to effectively suppress the proliferation of human colon cancer cells. Finally, we demonstrated that the Wnt1-mediated activation of a GAL4-beta-catenin heterologous transcription system was effectively inhibited by STI-571. Thus, our findings suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation may play an important role in regulating beta-catenin signaling activity, and inhibition of this signaling pathway by STI-571 may be further explored as an important target for alternative/adjuvant treatments for a broader range of human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhou
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 400046, China
| | - Naili An
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Committee on Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Rex C. Haydon
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Qixin Zhou
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing 400046, China
| | - Hongwei Cheng
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ying Peng
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Committee on Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Wei Jiang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Hue H. Luu
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Pantila Vanichakarn
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jan Paul Szatkowski
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jae Yoon Park
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Benjamin Breyer
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Tong-Chuan He
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Committee on Cancer Biology, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Committee on Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Corresponding author. Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, MC3079, Room J-611, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. Tel.: +1-773-702-7169; fax: +1-773-834-4598. (T.-C. He)
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15
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Parker WB, Allan PW, Hassan AEA, Secrist JA, Sorscher EJ, Waud WR. Antitumor activity of 2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine against tumors that express Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Cancer Gene Ther 2003; 10:23-9. [PMID: 12489025 DOI: 10.1038/sj.cgt.7700520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2002] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The selective expression of Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) in solid tumors has been successfully used to activate two purine nucleoside analogs [9-(2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-6-methylpurine (MeP-dR) and 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-2-fluoroadenine (F-araA)] resulting in lasting tumor regressions and cures. E. coli PNP also cleaves 2-fluoro-2'-deoxyadenosine (F-dAdo) to 2-F-adenine, which is the toxic purine analog liberated from F-araA that has high bystander activity and is active against nonproliferating tumor cells. As F-dAdo is 3000 times better than F-araA as a substrate for E. coli PNP, we have evaluated its antitumor activity against D54 gliomas that express E. coli PNP and have characterized its in vivo metabolism in order to better understand its mechanism of action with respect to the other two agents. Like MeP-dR and F-araA-5'-monophosphate (F-araAMP, a prodrug of F-araA), treatment of mice bearing D54 tumors that express E. coli PNP with F-dAdo resulted in excellent antitumor activity. Although F-dAdo was as active as MeP-dR and better than F-araAMP, it was not dramatically better than either compound because of its short plasma half-life and the limited activation of F-adenine to toxic metabolites. Regardless, these results indicated that F-dAdo was also an excellent prodrug for use with gene vectors that deliver E. coli PNP to tumor cells.
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16
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Abstract
Autonomous cell proliferation is one of the hallmarks of cancer cells, driven by activated growth-promoting oncogenes. However, deregulated activation of these oncogenes also triggers apoptosis via multiple pathways. Among them, the ARF-p53 pathway appears to play a major role in mediating oncogene-induced apoptosis. Consequently, suppression of apoptosis by inactivation of p53 and other tumor suppressors is central to tumor development. These findings have broad implications in understanding cancer genetics and therapy. They help define the roles for oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the notion that cancer cells often carry specific defects in apoptotic pathways but are inherently sensitive to apoptosis as a result of deregulated proliferation, offers numerous opportunities for manipulating apoptosis in directions of clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Fei Ding
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, OH, USA
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17
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Abstract
Apoptosis is a complex process that removes aging or injured cells from the body and occurs in a wide variety of organisms. Cell death has always been an integral aspect of the study of pathology, but only over the last 30 years or so has the interest in apoptosis gained appreciation in this field. This review analyzes pertinent aspects of apoptosis, from Virchow's initial descriptions of necrobiosis to more modern research, and reviews some of the key events and molecules involved in the process. Finally, the role of apoptosis in certain diseases and its importance in the clinical setting is addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- F J Geske
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO 80206, USA
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18
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19
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Gadi VK, Alexander SD, Kudlow JE, Allan P, Parker WB, Sorscher EJ. In vivo sensitization of ovarian tumors to chemotherapy by expression of E. coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase in a small fraction of cells. Gene Ther 2000; 7:1738-43. [PMID: 11083495 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3301286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This report examines a major barrier to suicide gene therapy in cancer and other diseases: namely, bystander cell killing. Existing vectors for in vivo gene delivery are inefficient and often transduce or transfect less than 1% of target cells. The E. coli PNP gene brings about cellular necrosis under conditions when 1 in 100 to 1 in 1000 cells express the gene product in vitro. In vivo bystander killing at or near this magnitude has not been reported previously. In the present experiments, transfection of cells with the E. coli PNP gene controlled by a SV40 promoter resulted in 30 nmol 6-methyl purine deoxyriboside (MeP-dR) converted per milligram tumor cell extract per hour (or conversion units (CU)). This level of expression led to elimination of entire populations of tumor cells in vitro after treatment with MeP-dR. Much earlier killing was observed using a tat transactivated E. coli PNP vector (approximately seven-fold higher activity, 230 CU). In vivo effects on tumor growth were next examined. Human ovarian tumors transfected with E. coli PNP were excised 5 days after i.p. implantation from the peritoneal cavities of mice in order to determine both E. coli PNP enzymatic activity and the fraction of cells expressing the gene. PNP activity at 5 days after gene transfer was approximately 170 CU and was expressed in approximately 0.1% of the tumor cells as judged by in situ hybridization. The expression of E. coli PNP at this level produced a 30% increase in life span (P < 0.001) and 49% reduction in tumor size (P < 0.005) after MeP-dR treatment, as compared with control tumors. Our observations lead to the conclusion that pronounced bystander killing by E. coli PNP is conferred in vivo, and that vectors capable of transgene expression in as few as one in 1000 cells can produce substantial antitumor effects if expression on a per cell basis is very high.
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Affiliation(s)
- V K Gadi
- Department of Physiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294-0005, USA
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20
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Gerry NP, Witowski NE, Day J, Hammer RP, Barany G, Barany F. Universal DNA microarray method for multiplex detection of low abundance point mutations. J Mol Biol 1999; 292:251-62. [PMID: 10493873 DOI: 10.1006/jmbi.1999.3063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 269] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cancers arise from the accumulation of multiple mutations in genes regulating cellular growth and differentiation. Identification of such mutations in numerous genes represents a significant challenge in genetic analysis, particularly when the majority of DNA in a tumor sample is from wild-type stroma. To overcome these difficulties, we have developed a new type of DNA microchip that combines polymerase chain reaction/ligase detection reaction (PCR/LDR) with "zip-code" hybridization. Suitably designed allele-specific LDR primers become covalently ligated to adjacent fluorescently labeled primers if and only if a mutation is present. The allele-specific LDR primers contain on their 5'-ends "zip-code complements" that are used to direct LDR products to specific zip-code addresses attached covalently to a three-dimensional gel-matrix array. Since zip-codes have no homology to either the target sequence or to other sequences in the genome, false signals due to mismatch hybridizations are not detected. The zip-code sequences remain constant and their complements can be appended to any set of LDR primers, making our zip-code arrays universal. Using the K- ras gene as a model system, multiplex PCR/LDR followed by hybridization to prototype 3x3 zip-code arrays correctly identified all mutations in tumor and cell line DNA. Mutations present at less than one per cent of the wild-type DNA level could be distinguished. Universal arrays may be used to rapidly detect low abundance mutations in any gene of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- N P Gerry
- Department of Microbiology Hearst Microbiology Research Center, and Strang Cancer Prevention Center, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Ave., New York, Box 62, 10021, USA
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21
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Palapattu GS, Naitoh J, Belldegrun AS. Gene therapy for prostate cancer. New perspectives on an old problem. Urol Clin North Am 1999; 26:353-63, ix. [PMID: 10361558 DOI: 10.1016/s0094-0143(05)70075-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in molecular biology have made the prospect of gene therapy for prostate cancer a reality. A wide variety of genetic strategies, vector designs, and delivery modalities are currently in use. This article examines the state of the art prostate cancer gene therapy and details the various options available to clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Palapattu
- Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, USA
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22
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Park BJ, Brown CK, Hu Y, Alexander HR, Horti J, Raje S, Figg WD, Bartlett DL. Augmentation of melanoma-specific gene expression using a tandem melanocyte-specific enhancer results in increased cytotoxicity of the purine nucleoside phosphorylase gene in melanoma. Hum Gene Ther 1999; 10:889-98. [PMID: 10223723 DOI: 10.1089/10430349950018292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The lineage-specific human tyrosinase promoter has been used to successfully target gene expression at the transcriptional level to melanoma cells. The tyrosinase promoter, alone and in combination with a single, or a dual, tandem melanocyte-specific enhancer, was used to regulate expression of the firefly luciferase reporter gene. Transient transfections of these tissue-specific luciferase constructs in human and murine melanoma (Pmel, B16mel) and colon carcinoma (WiDr, MC38) cell lines resulted in melanoma-specific luciferase expression that was amplified 5- and 500-fold with the addition of a single or double enhancer, respectively, to the tyrosinase promoter. When the double enhancer-promoter construct expressed the highly toxic Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) gene, transfection of the same cell lines followed by administration of the prodrug 6-methyl purine deoxyriboside (6-MPDR) at a concentration of 50 microM caused melanoma-specific in vitro cell killing. Within 5 days after prodrug administration methylthiazol-tetrazolium (MTT) cytotoxicity assays showed that only 15 and 9% of Pmel and B16mel cells, respectively, remained viable compared with controls. This effect was highly specific, as 90 and 96% of WiDr and MC38 colon carcinoma cells remained viable 5 days after identical treatment. This effect was a direct result of increased tissue-specific conversion of 6-MPDR to the toxic metabolite 6-methylpurine (6-MP), as documented by HPLC analysis of culture supernatants. These results show that the dual tandem melanocyte-specific enhancer provides powerful amplification of the transcriptional targeting of gene expression afforded by use of the tyrosinase promoter. This amplification translates into increased, highly specific cytotoxicity to melanoma by the PNP/6-MPDR enzyme/prodrug system and, therefore, has potential efficacy in the use of gene therapy for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Park
- Metabolism Section, Surgery Branch, Clinical Sciences Division, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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23
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Grunicke HH. Molecular basis of targeted chemotherapy: novel concepts with special reference to the treatment of Hodgkin's disease. Ann Oncol 1999; 9 Suppl 5:S125-8. [PMID: 9926251 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/9.suppl_5.s125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Concepts for the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphomas based on novel insights of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of the transformed phenotype of Reed-Sternberg cells, their proliferation and sensitivity to radiation and anti-tumor agents are discussed. The potentials of some recently developed new signal transduction inhibitors for the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphomas are discussed in greater detail and comprise agents directed against Janus kinase 2 (JAK 2); Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STAT factors); agents directed against SH 2-domains: the fes/fps oncogene, Ras; protein kinase C (PKC) isotypes and means of inducing radiation or drug-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H Grunicke
- Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Austria
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24
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Abstract
Nearly twenty years after the initial discovery of p53, we are now in an ideal position to exploit our vast knowledge of p53 biology in the creation of novel cancer therapies. Disruption of p53 function through mutation, or other means, occurs very frequently in human cancer. Loss of p53 function has been linked with unfavourable prognosis in a large number of tumour types, as indicated by more aggressive tumours, early metastasis and decreased survival rates. Many different avenues of research have converged upon p53 to highlight this protein as being one of the foremost cellular responders to stress, in particular to DNA damage. Huge advances have been made in understanding the complex role p53 plays in the regulation of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. This review is not meant to be a comprehensive description of p53 biology, but rather serves to highlight current progress in the development of p53-oriented cancer therapies. These may be categorised into three basic strategies: gene replacement therapy using wild-type p53, restoration of p53 function by other means and, finally, targeting of the p53 dysfunction itself. Rapid progress is expected to be made regarding the identification of conventional pharmaceutical agents which either work in a p53-independent manner or act preferentially in p53 defective cells. Gene replacement therapy with wild-type p53 also holds considerable potential for obtaining clinically relevant results quickly. The other forms of cancer therapies based around p53 are much further behind in the developmental process, but may prove to more efficacious in the long run, especially in terms of specificity. As with many other fields, the innovation of successful p53-oriented cancer therapies is only limited by our understanding of p53 biology and the creative use of such knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- W M Gallagher
- Oncology Department, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, CRVA, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
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25
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Mary MN, Venot C, Caron de Fromentel C, Debussche L, Conseiller E, Cochet O, Gruel N, Teillaud JL, Schweighoffer F, Tocque B, Bracco L. A tumor specific single chain antibody dependent gene expression system. Oncogene 1999; 18:559-64. [PMID: 9927213 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1202377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The design of conditional gene expression systems restricted to given tissues or cellular types is an important issue of gene therapy. Systems based on the targeting of molecules characteristic of the pathological state of tissues would be of interest. We have developed a synthetic transcription factor by fusing a single chain antibody (scFv) directed against p53 with the bacterial tetracycline repressor as a DNA binding domain. This hybrid protein binds to p53 and can interact with a synthetic promoter containing tetracycline-operator sequences. Gene expression can now be specifically achieved in tumor cells harboring an endogenous mutant p53 but not in a wild-type p53 containing tumor cell line or in a non-transformed cell line. Thus, a functional transactivator centered on single chain antibodies can be expressed intracellularly and induce gene expression in a scFv-mediated specific manner. This novel class of transcriptional transactivators could be referred as 'trabodies' for transcription-activating-antibodies. The trabodies technology could be useful to any cell type in which a disease related protein could be the target of specific antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Mary
- Gene Medicine Department, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer S.A., Vitry-sur-Seine, France
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26
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27
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Abstract
The insufficient selectivity of drugs is a bane of present-day therapies. This problem is significant for antibacterial drugs, difficult for antivirals, and utterly unsolved for anticancer drugs, which remain ineffective against major cancers, and in addition cause severe side effects. The problem may be solved if a therapeutic agent could have a multitarget, combinatorial selectivity, killing, or otherwise modifying, a cell if and only if it contains a predetermined set of molecular targets and lacks another predetermined set of targets. An earlier design of multitarget drugs [Varshavsky, A. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92, 3663-3667] was confined to macromolecular reagents such as proteins, with the attendant difficulties of intracellular delivery and immunogenicity. I now propose a solution to the problem of drug selectivity that is applicable to small (</=1 kDa) drugs. Two ideas, codominant interference and antieffectors, should allow a therapeutic regimen to possess combinatorial selectivity, in which the number of positively and negatively sensed macromolecular targets can be two, three, or more. The nature of the effector and interference moieties in a multitarget drug determines its use: selective killing of cancer cells or, for example, the inhibition of a neurotransmitter-inactivating enzyme in a specific subset of the enzyme-containing cells. The in vivo effects of such drugs would be analogous to the outcomes of the Boolean operations "and," "or," and combinations thereof. I discuss the logic and applications of the antieffector and interference/codominance concepts, and the attendant problem of pharmacokinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Varshavsky
- Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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28
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Hughes BW, King SA, Allan PW, Parker WB, Sorscher EJ. Cell to cell contact is not required for bystander cell killing by Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase. J Biol Chem 1998; 273:2322-8. [PMID: 9442077 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.273.4.2322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Expression of Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) activates prodrugs and kills entire populations of mammalian cells, even when as few as 1% of the cells express this gene. This phenomenon of bystander killing has been previously investigated for herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) and has been shown to require cell to cell contact. Using silicon rings to separate E. coli PNP expressing cells from non-expressing cells sharing the same medium, we demonstrate that bystander cell killing by E. coli PNP does not require cell-cell contact. Initially, cells expressing E. coli PNP convert the non-toxic prodrug, 6-methylpurine-2'-deoxyriboside (MeP-dR) to the highly toxic membrane permeable toxin, 6-methylpurine (MeP). As the expressing cells die, E. coli PNP is released into the culture medium, retains activity, and continues precursor conversion extracellularly (as determined by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography of both prodrug and toxin). Bystander killing can also be observed in the absence of extracellular E. coli PNP by removing the MeP-dR prior to death of the expressing cells. In this case, 100% of cultured cells die when as few as 3% of the cells of a population express E. coli PNP. Blocking nucleoside transport with nitrobenzylthioinosine reduces MeP-dR mediated cell killing but not MeP cell killing. These mechanisms differ fundamentally from those previously reported for the HSV-TK gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- B W Hughes
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294, USA
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29
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Fathi R, Nawoschik KJ, Zavoda M, Cook AF. Enzymatic Synthesis of 2′,5′-Dideoxv Purine Nucleosides and Related Compounds. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1997. [DOI: 10.1080/07328319708002543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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30
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Parker WB, King SA, Allan PW, Bennett LL, Secrist JA, Montgomery JA, Gilbert KS, Waud WR, Wells AH, Gillespie GY, Sorscher EJ. In vivo gene therapy of cancer with E. coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Hum Gene Ther 1997; 8:1637-44. [PMID: 9322865 DOI: 10.1089/hum.1997.8.14-1637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We have developed a new strategy for the gene therapy of cancer based on the activation of purine nucleoside analogs by transduced E. coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP, E.C. 2.4.2.1). The approach is designed to generate antimetabolites intracellularly that would be too toxic for systemic administration. To determine whether this strategy could be used to kill tumor cells without host toxicity, nude mice bearing human malignant D54MG glioma tumors expressing E. coli PNP (D54-PNP) were treated with either 6-methylpurine-2'-deoxyriboside (MeP-dR) or arabinofuranosyl-2-fluoroadenine monophosphate (F-araAMP, fludarabine, a precursor of F-araA). Both prodrugs exhibited significant antitumor activity against established D54-PNP tumors at doses that produced no discernible systemic toxicity. Significantly, MeP-dR was curative against this slow growing solid tumor after only 3 doses. The antitumor effects showed a dose dependence on both the amount of prodrug given and the level of E. coli PNP expression within tumor xenografts. These results indicated that a strategy using E. coli PNP to create highly toxic, membrane permeant compounds that kill both replicating and nonreplicating cells is feasible in vivo, further supporting development of this cancer gene therapy approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- W B Parker
- Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA
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31
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Franken M, Estabrooks A, Cavacini L, Sherburne B, Wang F, Scadden DT. Epstein-Barr virus-driven gene therapy for EBV-related lymphomas. Nat Med 1996; 2:1379-82. [PMID: 8946840 DOI: 10.1038/nm1296-1379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Genetic alterations in malignant tissues are potential targets for gene-based cancer therapies. Alternatively, aberrant expression of certain specific genes associated with malignant transformation may be envisioned to enhance the expression of chemosensitizing drugs. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related B-cell lymphomas are fatal complications of immunosuppression due to AIDS, organ transplantation or congenital immune abnormalities. The malignant cells latently infected with EBV typically express the transcription factor EBNA2 as one of nine latent viral genes. We tested whether an EBNA2-responsive EBV promoter may selectively target EBV-related lymphoma cells by virus-regulated expression of a suicide gene. Using the BamC promoter driving a hygromycin-thymidine kinase fusion gene or controls, we demonstrated that sensitivity to ganciclovir was selectively enhanced in cells expressing EBNA2. Further, there was complete macroscopic regression of established B-cell lymphomas in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID mice) treated with a single course of ganciclovir. These data provide in vitro and in vivo support for a model of exploiting the molecular basis of tumor development to enhance the specificity of gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Franken
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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