Systemic tumor suppression by the proapoptotic gene bik

Cancer Res. 2002 Jan 1;62(1):8-12.

Abstract

Metastatic breast cancer requires systemic treatment. We have developed a systemic gene therapy approach for breast cancer, consisting of a nonviral gene delivery system (SN) and a proapoptotic gene, bik. The transfection efficiency of SN carrying a reporter gene was 5-10 times higher than the common nonviral agents Fugene-6 and Lipofectamine in the presence of serum. The SN-bik gene complex induced significant apoptosis in four breast cancer cell lines in vitro as well as in orthotopic tumor tissues in nude mice. Systemically administrated SN-bik significantly inhibited the growth and metastasis of human breast cancer cells implanted in nude mice and prolonged the life span of the treated animals. This study demonstrates that SN-bik is a promising approach for further development as a potential therapeutic agent of cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / therapy
  • Cations
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • DNA / administration & dosage*
  • DNA / genetics
  • Female
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Liposomes / administration & dosage
  • Luminescent Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Luminescent Proteins / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Membrane Proteins*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Proteins / physiology
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • BIK protein, human
  • Cations
  • Liposomes
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • DNA