Development of a Combination Cell and Gene Therapy Approach for Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Abstract

The unique biology of the breast presents the opportunity to these cell and gene therapy techniques in a way that circumvents many of these technical limitations for the treatment of early stage breast cancer. In principle, it should be possible to obtain a patient's breast cells, genetically modify them, and reintroduce those cells into the affected regions of the breast via intraductal methods. Reintroduced cells would become incorporated into existing ductal structures and survive long-term to attack cancers. Objective: We propose to conduct a "proof-of-principle" combined cell and gene therapy study in a preclinical mouse model which, if successful, could be optimized and adapted for use in breast cancer patients. Task 1: To isolate and culture primary mammary epithelial cells from the genetically tagged Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) mouse strain. Task 2: To exploit polyethylenimine (PEI)-mediated transfection to transfect primary cultures of mammary epithelial cells with a Red Fluorescent Protein reporter gene. Task 3: To use intraductal injection to reintroduce transfected mammary epithelial cells into the ducts of genetically tagged Enhanced Cyan Fluorescent Protein into host mice Task 4: To assay reconstituted ducts for efficiency with which re-introduced, transfected epithelial cells are incorporated into duct walls.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA441287

Entities

People

  • Michael T. Lewis

Organizations

  • Baylor College of Medicine

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biomedical Research
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Department Of Defense
  • Efficiency
  • Employment
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Fungi
  • Gene Therapy
  • Mammary Glands
  • Medical Personnel
  • Neoplasms
  • Proteins
  • Stem Cells
  • Therapy

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Oncology (Cancer Research).

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Cancer Biotech