IN VIVO DELIVERY OF TARGETED GENE THERAPEUTICS FOR SMALL CELL LUNGCANCER

摘要

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressivecancer that with present options for treatment leavespatients with a very short expectancy of survival. Hence,there is a great demand for new treatment that can replaceor supplement the current options and gene therapyconstitutes a new and promising strategy. In cancer genetherapy a toxic (therapeutic) gene is introduced to thecancer cells causing cell death. Since SCLC is oftendisseminated at the time of diagnosis a systemic approachof administration is required in order to reach all cancercells and it is important that the gene is not expressed inother cells in the body. We have identified generegulatory sequences that in combination with atherapeutic gene can cause selective SCLC cell killing.Encapsulation of the therapeutic gene construct into alipoplex vehicle allows delivery to cancer cells in vivoand using an SCLC xenograft tumor model in nude micewe have demonstrated tumor growth retardation upongene therapy treatment.