In vivo efficacy of folate-targeted lipid-protamine-DNA (LPD-PEG-Folate) complexes in an immunocompetent syngeneic model for breast adenocarcinoma.

Abstract

Gene therapy utilizing lipid-based delivery systems holds tremendous promise for the treatment of cancer. However, due to the potential adverse inflammatory and/or immune effects upon systemic administration, treatments thus far have been predominantly limited to intratumoral or regional treatment. Previous studies from our group have demonstrated the antitumor efficacy of systemically administered, folate-targeted, lipid-protamine-DNA complexes (LPD-PEG-Folate) against breast cancer using an immunodeficient xenogenic murine model. In the current study, the antitumor efficacy of LPD-PEG-Folate in a syngeneic, immune competent, murine model of breast cancer was examined. In this model, the potential inflammatory or immune responses and their effects on systemic delivery can be addressed. The 410.4 murine breast adenocarcinoma cell line was initially evaluated in vitro for its interactions with LPD-PEG-Folate and control LPD-PEG formulations. Utilizing fluorescently labeled formulations and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, a 1.6-fold enhancement of binding and internalization of LPD-PEG-Folate over LPD-PEG formulations was observed, suggestive of specific receptor interaction. Increased binding was manifested as 5-26-fold increases in luciferase gene expression in 410.4 cell transfection when comparing LPD-PEG-Folate to LPD-PEG. Moreover, in vivo treatment of 410.4 breast tumors in BALB/c mice with i.v. injected LPD-PEG-Folate delivering the HSV-1 thymidine kinase (TK) gene, in combination with gancyclovir treatment, resulted in a significant reduction in mean tumor volume (260.1 mm3) compared to the LPD-PEG-TK (914.1 mm3), as well as the vehicle (749.7 mm3) and untreated (825.3 mm3) control groups (day 25, P<.019). In addition to a reduced tumor volume, LPD-PEG-Folate-TK treatment also increased median survival from 25 days in the nontargeted LPD-PEG-TK groups to 31 days (P=.0011), which correlated with the termination of treatment. Together, these results demonstrate that in the context of a fully functional immune system, LPD-PEG-Folate-TK treatment possesses significant specific antitumor efficacy and the potential for further preclinical development.

• Authors: Elizabeth Bruckheimer, Pierrot Harvie, Jason Orthel, Benjamin Dutzar, Kevin Furstoss, Elise Mebel, Pervin Anklesaria, Ralph Paul
• Journal: Cancer gene therapy (Cancer Gene Ther) Vol. 11 Issue 2 Pg. 128-34 (Feb 2004) ISSN: 0929-1903 [Print] England
• PMID: 14671672 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Carrier Proteins
• Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
• Liposomes
• Protamines
• Receptors, Cell Surface
• Polyethylene Glycols
• DNA
• Folic Acid
• Thymidine Kinase

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (immunology, pathology, therapy)
• Animals
• Carrier Proteins (antagonists & inhibitors)
• DNA (administration & dosage)
• Female
• Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
• Folic Acid (administration & dosage)
• Genetic Therapy (methods)
• Humans
• Immunocompetence
• Lipid Metabolism
• Liposomes
• Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental (immunology, pathology, therapy)
• Mice
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Protamines
• Receptors, Cell Surface (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Thymidine Kinase (genetics)