These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Using apoptosis for targeted cancer therapy by a new gonadotropin releasing hormone-DNA fragmentation factor 40 chimeric protein.
    Author: Ben-Yehudah A, Aqeilan R, Robashkevich D, Lorberboum-Galski H.
    Journal: Clin Cancer Res; 2003 Mar; 9(3):1179-90. PubMed ID: 12631624.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: GnRH-based chimeric proteins have been shown to specifically target and kill adenocarcinomas both in vitro and in vivo. The purpose of this study is to construct a new GnRH-based chimeric protein for the treatment of adenocarcinomas in humans. RESULTS: In this study, we constructed and characterized a new chimeric protein, GnRH-DFF40, composed of a new human killing moiety: the apoptotic DNase-DFF40 (DNA fragmentation factor), known also as caspase-activated DNase (CAD). GnRH-DFF40 exhibits DNase activity in vitro. We found that this chimeric protein can target and kill adenocarcinoma cells. Such death occurs via apoptotic pathways, resulting in an increase in the sub-G(1) population, DNA fragmentation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells, and morphology typical of apoptotic cells. These apoptotic events involve the mitochondria because we found cytochrome c depletion and caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation. Preliminary in vivo results showed that treatment of colon adenocarcinoma xenografts in nude mice with the new chimeric protein caused a reduction in tumor weight. CONCLUSIONS: Because GnRH-DFF40 is a whole human-based chimeric protein when applied to humans, the nonspecific toxicity and immunogenicity seen with bacterial/plant-based chimeric proteins should be avoided. Thus, GnRH-DFF40 is a promising candidate for the treatment of adenocarcinomas in humans.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]