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Findings from E.L. Coutinho and co-researchers advance knowledge in gene therapy
December 17th, 2007
2007 DEC 17 -- According to a study from Sao Paulo, Brazil, "We investigated whether transfer of the gene encoding the angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin into the NIH/3T3 fibroblast cell line could inhibit renal tumor growth in vivo. NIH/3T3 cells were transduced with retroviral vectors containing the murine endostatin (ES) gene." "SCID mice bearing CaKi-1 derived tumors were given a subcutaneous injection of either ES-transduced cells or control cells and were monitored for tumor growth. At the end of the in vivo experiment, the mean tumor volume of treated mice was 51.6 +/- 2.4 mm(3), while the tumor volume of control was 234.5 +/- 14.8 mm(3). Microvascular density was significantly decreased on treatment (control 9.79 vs. ES 2.53%, < 0.001) accompanied by a 23-fold increase in intraturmoral necrotic area and a 2.94-fold increase in the apoptotic index, determined by immunohistochemistry with anti- activated caspase-3. Apoptotic cells were found in foci enriched in infiltrating leukocytes," wrote E.L. Coutinho and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "Retroviral endostatin gene transfer led to secretion of functional endostatin that was sufficiently active to inhibit tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. A second mechanism may also be implied in endostatin-dependent tumor regression, associated with tumor infiltration of leukocytes. Besides its antiangiogenic properties, endostatin may be a promising adjuvant to immunotherapy." Coutinho and colleagues published their study in Faseb Journal (Anti-tumor effect of endostatin mediated by retroviral gene transfer in mice bearing renal cell carcinoma. Faseb Journal, 2007;21(12):3153-3161). For more information, contact M.H. Bellini, Institute Pesquisas Energet & Nuclear, Cidade University IPEN-CNEN-SP, Av Lineu Prestes 2242, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo, Brazil. Publisher contact information for the Faseb Journal is: Federation American Society Experimental Biology, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814-3998, USA. Keywords: Brazil, Sao Paulo, Angiogenesis, Anticancer Therapy, Bioassays, Biotechnology, Cancer Gene Therapy, Genetics, Genomics, Kidney, Nephrology, Oncology, Renal Cell Cancer, Renal Cell Carcinoma, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, Treatment, Tumor Vascularization. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
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