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Published on: July 24, 2013
Apoptosis by genetic engineering
1Cancer Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital, Tampa, Florida 33607.
Leukemia
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Malignant cells often evade apoptosis, or programmed cell death. This study explores targeting apoptosis-resistance in tumors using gene therapy and chemotherapy, highlighting challenges in in vivo transfection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Apoptosis, a physiological programmed cell death, is often evaded by malignant cells.
- Genes regulating apoptosis, such as p53 (promoter) and bcl-2, fes (antagonists), are recognized.
- Tumor cells resistant to apoptosis can still be eliminated by cytotoxic lymphocytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore therapeutic strategies for overcoming apoptosis resistance in cancer.
- To investigate the potential of gene therapy and chemotherapy in inducing tumor cell death.
- To identify challenges and future directions in targeting apoptosis for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of known apoptosis-regulating genes and their roles in cancer.
- Discussion of lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing cytokines.
- Exploration of chemotherapeutic agents, particularly topoisomerase inhibitors, in inducing apoptosis.
- Proposal for cloning and in vivo transfection of apoptotic genes into tumor cells.
Main Results:
- Malignant cells frequently acquire resistance to apoptosis, a hallmark of cancer.
- Growth factor/hormone withdrawal can activate apoptosis in dependent tumor cells.
- Cytotoxic lymphocytes and apoptosis-inducing cytokines show therapeutic potential.
- Chemotherapeutics, like topoisomerase inhibitors, can induce apoptosis in tumor cells.
Conclusions:
- Synergistic effects between biologicals and chemotherapeutics in inducing apoptosis are promising.
- In vivo gene transfer of apoptotic genes into tumors is a proposed strategy.
- Current limitations in in vivo transfection technology and understanding of apoptosis need to be addressed.
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Overview
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