Viral Vectors Selective for Metastatic Breast Cancer Tumor Cells
Abstract
Breast cancer is The most common malignancy in American women, and its most life-threatening aspect is metastasis. There are presently no effective means to treat metastatic cancer, and novel therapies are required to eliminate metastatic cells and the consequent morbidity and mortality of breast cancer. We are developing polyomavirus gene therapy vectors which are capable of specifically targeting metastatic breast cancer cells. Selective targeting will result from the specific attachment of modified viruses to urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expressed on metastatic cells and to the selective expression of genes under the control of promoters which are preferentially activated in metastatic cells. These gene therapy vectors will be assembled from highly purified capsid proteins, histones and DNA and will be tested in human breast cancer cells in culture and in tumors. During the past year, we have modified the polyomavirus VP1 capsid protein to contain sequences of uPA capable of binding to the uPA receptors on tumor cells. We have obtained the requisite enzymes for assembling DNA into chromatin. The next year will be devoted to assembling virus-like particles with the modified capsid proteins and the chromatin, and to preparing to test them for specificity of adsorption to cancer cells.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA385718
Entities
People
- William Folk
Organizations
- University of Missouri