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Targeted gene therapy of ovarian cancer using an ovarian-specific promoter

Rudi Bao1, Muthu Selvakumaran, Thomas C Hamilton

  • 1Ovarian Cancer Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA.

Gynecologic Oncology
|January 29, 2002
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ovarian cancer suicide gene therapy using the OSP1 promoter and ganciclovir (GCV) demonstrated improved specificity and efficacy. Cationic lipid GL67 enhanced in vivo gene delivery, leading to longer survival in ovarian cancer models.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Gene Therapy
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Traditional "suicide" gene therapy for cancer faces toxicity issues due to non-specific prodrug activation.
  • Cytomegalovirus promoters lack the specificity required for targeted cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate ovarian cancer gene therapy using an ovarian-specific promoter (OSP1) to restrict prodrug-activating enzyme synthesis to ovarian cancer cells.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of OSP1-driven gene therapy in an ovarian cancer model.

Main Methods:

  • Constructed and transfected the pOSP1-HSVtk plasmid into OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells.
  • Assessed ganciclovir (GCV) sensitivity of transfectants in vitro and in vivo.
  • Evaluated tissue specificity of the OSP1 promoter by comparing GCV sensitivity across different cell lines.
  • Utilized a cationic lipid (GL67) for in vivo gene delivery in an ovarian cancer mouse model.

Main Results:

  • Stable OVCAR3 transfectants expressing OSP1-HSVtk showed increased sensitivity to GCV.
  • The OSP1 promoter specifically sensitized ovarian cancer cells to GCV.
  • Mice with ovarian tumors treated with GCV survived significantly longer (P = 0.032).
  • In vivo gene delivery with cationic lipid GL67 and GCV treatment resulted in prolonged survival (P = 0.016).

Conclusions:

  • The OSP1 promoter enables selective suicide gene therapy for ovarian cancer.
  • Cationic lipid GL67 improves the in vivo efficacy of OSP1-mediated gene therapy compared to direct plasmid injection.

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