Tumor regression by targeted gene delivery to the neovasculature

JD Hood, M Bednarski, R Frausto, S Guccione… - Science, 2002 - science.org
JD Hood, M Bednarski, R Frausto, S Guccione, RA Reisfeld, R Xiang, DA Cheresh
Science, 2002science.org
Efforts to influence the biology of blood vessels by gene delivery have been hampered by a
lack of targeting vectors specific for endothelial cells in diseased tissues. Here we show that
a cationic nanoparticle (NP) coupled to an integrin αvβ3–targeting ligand can deliver genes
selectively to angiogenic blood vessels in tumor-bearing mice. The therapeutic efficacy of
this approach was tested by generating NPs conjugated to a mutant Raf gene, ATPμ-Raf,
which blocks endothelial signaling and angiogenesis in response to multiple growth factors …
Efforts to influence the biology of blood vessels by gene delivery have been hampered by a lack of targeting vectors specific for endothelial cells in diseased tissues. Here we show that a cationic nanoparticle (NP) coupled to an integrin αvβ3–targeting ligand can deliver genes selectively to angiogenic blood vessels in tumor-bearing mice. The therapeutic efficacy of this approach was tested by generating NPs conjugated to a mutant Raf gene,ATPμ-Raf, which blocks endothelial signaling and angiogenesis in response to multiple growth factors. Systemic injection of the NP into mice resulted in apoptosis of the tumor-associated endothelium, ultimately leading to tumor cell apoptosis and sustained regression of established primary and metastatic tumors.
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