Highly hypoxia-specific gene expression system for ischemic gene therapy

摘要

Compositions and methods for treating ischemic diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, are disclosed. Plasmid pEpo-SV-VEGF-EpoUTR comprises an erythropoietin enhancer and an erythropoietin 3′ untranslated region operably coupled to a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) coding segment. High expression of VEGF under hypoxic conditions is obtained. Similar plasmids, with anticancer agents placed under control of hypoxia-regulated elements, can be used for treating solid tumor cancers.