Tobacco Used in Anti-Cancer Therapy

Scientists are using tobacco plants to produce monoclonal antibodies that can both target and destroy tumor cells. These antibodies have the potential to provide an inexpensive, more rapid way of producing anticancer agents, which could in the near future be used in humans.

Researchers at the Biotechnology Foundation Laboratories and the Center for Jefferson Medical College (Philadelphia, PA, USA) inserted DNA coding for an antibody against colorectal cancer into tobacco plants. In doing this, the plants become workhorses, pumping out antibodies. The study is published online in the Proceedings of the [U.S.] National Academy.

The conventional mouse-produced monoclonal antibody recognizes a specific type of protein antigen on human colorectal tumors cells and have been utilized in treating metastatic disease and in preventing recurrences in specific high-risk patients. However, the technology used to produce large quantities of antibody is costly, and researchers are looking to find alternative production methods.

The Jefferson scientists had earlier demonstrated that plant-made monoclonal antibodies purified from tobacco leaves could recognize, or bind to, human colorectal tumor cells. They then grafted human colorectal tumor cells onto the backs of nude mice (mice stripped of their immune cells), and subsequently injected the mice with the plant-derived antibodies. They then watched for tumor growth for up to 40 days.

The scientists discovered that tumor growth was suppressed in a similar way to that of mammalian-made monoclonal antibodies, according to Kisung Ko, Ph.D., an instructor in the department of microbiology and immunology at Jefferson. "These results indicate that plant biotechnology can be a useful alternative to produce monoclonal antibodies.”

"The antibody produced in tobacco is as good as the antibody produced in animal cells,” said Hilary Koprowski, M.D., professor of microbiology and immunology and director of the Jefferson Biotechnology Foundation Laboratories, observing that tobacco-derived antibodies should be safer and less expensive to make.

The investigators are currently looking for industry partners to start mass production of the antibody. The next phase in the research, Dr. Koprowski observed, would be to perform a phase I clinical trial of the monoclonal antibody in colon cancer patients. Meanwhile, they are testing the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies against other kinds of cancer, including lung and breast tumor cells in laboratory animal models.



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