Antibody Directed Gene Therapy for Breast Cancer
Abstract
Gene therapy offers an exciting new approach to treating cancer, in particular by introducing cytokine genes into tumor cells. This strategy of enhancing the host immunity has been extensively studied in animal models and has provided the groundwork for the human clinical trials. However these approaches rely on ex vivo modification of tumor cells, which is difficult, time consuming, expensive and dependent on research facilities. The main objective of this proposal is to develop monoclonal antibodies as cell specific targeting vectors so that they are able to bind and carry DNA into cells. A DNA binding domain will be added to the gene encoding the heavy chain, so that upon expression of the modified heavy chain with its partner light chain, an antibody will be produced capable of binding DNA. We expect such an antibody complexed with DNA will be largely transported to lysosomes after internalisation, so a number of strategies will be examined to facilitate the entry of the DNA into the cytoplasm, transport and retention in the nucleus for successful prolonged expression. Subsequently, the antibody/DNA complexes will be tested in vivo.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA369245
Entities
People
- Peter J. Curtis
Organizations
- Thomas Jefferson University