Antisense Down-Regulation of Metallothionein: A Therapeutic Approach for Prostate Cancer
Abstract
Despite significant research in the field of prostate cancer (PCa), the disease remains elusive in terms of its etiology, pathophysiology and clinical management. Identification of new genotypic and phenotypic markers underlying initiation, promotion and endocrine therapy failure would be of paramount significance. We have shown that metallothionein (MT) can induce mitogenic response in tumor cells and that its inhibition can lead to growth arrest and induction of apoptotic cell death. The objective of this training grant was to establish an antisense MT adenovirus construct and test its efficacy on growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Due to experimental difficulties and the short time-frame specified for this award (6 months) we were able only to generate the antisense MT adenoviral construct. The experiments testing the efficacy of this novel construct are ongoing. The significance of this construct lies on the fact that MT is a mitogenic protein and its abundance, as shown in many human primary tumors, is associated with development of drug resistance and poor prognostic outcome. Thus, it is anticipated that this novel antisense construct will have a significant impact on growth inhibition and enhancement of efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADB254454
Entities
People
- Asim B. Abdel-mageed
Organizations
- Tulane University of Louisiana