Augmentation of a Novel Enzyme/Pro-Drug Therapy "Distant Bystander Effect" to Target Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Abstract
Prostate cancer is now the second highest cause of cancer death in men in Western society. New treatments are needed for late stage disease that has become refractory to hormone removal. We are using gene therapy, alone and in combination with hormones called cytokines that stimulate the immune system. The concept is that delivering a cell-killing agent to an accessible coupled with help from the immune system can promote reduction both at the treatment site and at remote locations. In this therapy, a gene (a fusion of cytosine deaminase and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (CD/UPRT)) is delivered to a cancer cell so that harmless bacterial proteins are made. When a pro-drug, 5 fluorocytosine (5-FC), is then given, cancer cells that make CD/UPRT convert 5-FC to a toxin that kills the original cell and others nearby. This system works in slow growing 5 like prostate cancer. Killing the cells attracts immune cells. We will use the cytokines, lnterleukin-12 or Interleukin- 18 either alone or in combination, to determine whether they upregulate the immune response against the 5. We will deliver the cytokine gene alone or with the suicide gene because in other studies, combination therapy works better.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA431314
Entities
People
- Bing Zhang
- Pamela Russell
Organizations
- University of New South Wales