Gene-Triggered Transporter Approach Causes Breast Cancer Cells to Self-Destruct

Irish Scientists have demonstrated that they can deliver a gene directly into breast cancer cells causing them to self-destruct, using a novel, minute gene transport system.

The study's findings were published February 28, 2011, in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics. Employing a transport system called a designer biomimetic vector (DBV), Dr. Helen McCarthy, from Queen's University Belfast (Ireland) School of Pharmacy, funded by the Breast Cancer Campaign (London, UK), packed a gene into a nanoparticle 400 times smaller than the width of a human hair, allowing it to be delivered right into breast cancer cells in the laboratory.

The gene called iNOS (induction of nitric oxide synthase), is targeted specifically to breast cancer cells using the DBV where it forces the cells to generate lethal nitric oxide; either killing the cells outright or making them more susceptible to being destroyed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As this technique leaves normal healthy breast cells unaffected, this would overcome many of the toxic side effects of current treatments.

Additional study is needed but it could be trialed in patients in as little as five years. Dr. McCarthy's next step is to convert the nanoparticles into a dried powder that could be easily transported and reconstituted before being administered to patients.

Dr. McCarthy commented, "A major stumbling block to using gene therapy in the past has been the lack of an effective delivery system. Combining the designer biomimetic vector with the iNOS gene has proved successful in killing breast cancer cells in the laboratory. In the long term, I see this being used to treat people with metastatic breast cancer that has spread to the bones, ideally administered before radiotherapy and chemotherapy.”

Dr. Lisa Wilde, research information senior manager, Breast Cancer Campaign said, "Gene therapy could potentially be an exciting avenue for treating breast cancer. Although at an early stage, Dr. McCarthy's laboratory research shows that this system for delivering toxic genes to tumor cells holds great promise and we look forward to seeing how it is.”

Related Links:
Queen's University Belfast
Breast Cancer Campaign