NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been successfully used to deliver interferon beta to tumor cells in mice, researchers report in the November 3rd issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
“We have results in different tumor types -- chronic myeloid leukemia, ovarian cancer, breast and melanoma and gliomas -- all in mice,” senior investigator Dr. Michael Andreef told Reuters Health.
Dr. Andreef of the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston and colleagues transduced human MSC with an adenoviral expression vector carrying the human interferon beta gene. The aim was to avoid the high toxicity and brief duration of action following systemic delivery of the agent.
The preparation inhibited growth of tumor cells in culture and when injected into mice with established human breast cancer or melanoma metastases it was incorporated into the tumor architecture. This presumably led to production of interferon beta within the tumor, the investigators report.
The median survival for treated mice was 60 days versus 37 days for controls. IV injection of recombinant interferon beta alone had no significant effect on survival.
In light of these and other findings, Dr. Andreef’s group is planning to conduct clinical trials next year, if they receive FDA approval.
Source: J Natl Cancer Inst 2004;96:1593-1603. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Animal Diseases: Biological Therapy: Disease Models, Animal: Genetic Engineering: Genetic Techniques: Investigative Techniques: Therapeutics: Gene Therapy: Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment: DiseasesCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
