A FACTOR AND METHOD TO INCREASE PERMEABILITY ACROSS A BIOMEMBRANE USING ANTIPROLIFERATIVE FACTOR

摘要

It has been discovered that antiproliferative factor (APF) increases paracellular permeability by decreasing production of the tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1 and occludin. The present invention is directed to compositions that contain APF for increasing membrane permeability and to methods for improving delivery of a diagnostic or therapeutic agent to a site of action in an animal by pretreating the animal with APF. The compositions and methods are relevant to treating any disease, especially cancer, where local administration of APF increases membrane permeability thereby increasing localized uptake of the anticancer agent into cancer cells.