Novel Gene Delivery System Targeted to Breast Cancer Cells

摘要

We are producing a gene delivery vehicle that uses unique features of viral proteins in a targeted, non-viral gene delivery system. The key features of this system that will lend themselves to gene therapy are: (1) the missile- like targeting capacity; (2) the capacity to transport DNA, and therefore, therapeutic genes; (3) the lack of size restriction, and therefore, the potential capacity to carry any size gene; (4) the lack of viral genes, and therefore, virulence; and, (5) the enhanced ability to enter cells and deliver therapeutic genes. While we expect this system to retain some of the best properties of viral vectors while taking advantage of mechanisms that viruses have evolved to efficiently enter cells, we also expect this system to improve on these mechanisms by introducing cell type-specific targeting capabilities. Because this system is non-viral in nature, it avoids problems inherent in biologic agents, thus enabling pharmaceutical quality control over the final preparations. Potential application of this system includes, but is not limited to, the targeted delivery of therapeutic genes or drugs for cancer treatment or gene replacement therapy.