Reports from Xi'an Jiao Tong University describe recent advances in cancer gene therapy
December 15th, 2008
2008 DEC 15 -- " CXC chemokine receptor-4 (CXCR4) is closely involved in bone metastasis of prostate cancer, and CXCR4 levels are frequently increased in prostate cancer cells and tissues. In the present study, its biological effects on prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo and feasibility to be a therapy target were investigated using a RNA interfering retrovirus vector targeting CXCR4 gene driven by human prostate-specific antigen promoter (pPSA)," scientists in Xian, People's Republic of China report.
" We established a pPSA-siCXCR4 retrovirus vector and transfected prostate cancer cell PC-3m, LNCaP and breast cancer cell MCF-7, respectively. The expression of CXCR4 mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and western blot, and the ability of adhesion, migration, invasion of prostate cancer cells was assessed using Transwell chamber. A metastasizing model using BALB/cA mice with human bone tissue implantation was established too, and transfected prostate cancer cells were via caudal vein. Survival time of mice suffering bone metastatic tumor as well as the weight and volume of these tumors were recorded and analyzed. The expression of CXCR4 mRNA and protein in androgen-responsive LNCaP cells was blocked by the pPSA-siCXCR4 vector, but it could not work in non androgen-responsive PC-3m cell and breast cancer cell MCF-7. The results of experiments in vitro also showed that the adhesion, transendothelial migration and invasive ability of transfected LNCaP cells were impaired, while there was no change in PC-3m and MCF-7 cells after transfection. pPSA-siCXCR4 represented a similar inhibitory effect in fluorescent bone metastasis model of LNCaP cells compared with PC-3m cells. These results suggest that the downstream siRNA controlled by PSA promoter in retrovirus system can express selectively in androgen-responsive prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo, and CXCR4 plays an important role in prostate cancer metastasis," wrote Y.F. Du and colleagues, Xi'an Jiao Tong University.
The researchers concluded: "We believe that the pPSA-siCXCR4 retrovirus vector is a potential choice in gene therapy for androgen-responsive prostate cancer."
Du and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology (Establishment of CXCR4-small interfering RNA retrovirus vector driven by human prostate-specific antigen promoter and its biological effects on prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, 2008;134(11):1255-1264).
For additional information, contact Y.F. Du, Xian Jiaotong University, Affiliated Hospital 1, Dept. of Urology, Yanta W Rd. 277, Xian 710061, Shanxi, People's Republic of China.
The publisher's contact information for the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology is: Springer, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA.
Keywords: People's Republic of China, Xian, Biotechnology, Bone, Breast Cancer, Breast Carcinoma, Cancer Gene Therapy, Cancer Research, Clinical Oncology, Oncology, Prostate Cancer, Prostate-Specific Antigen, Prostatic Neoplasms, RNA Research, Retrovirus, Tissue Engineering, Treatment, Women's Health, Xi'an Jiao Tong University.
This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.
