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Molecular target-based therapy of pancreatic cancer.

Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is genetically complex, and without effective therapy. Mutations in the Kirsten-ras (K-ras) oncogene occur early and frequently (approximately 90%) during pancreatic cancer development and progression. In this context, K-ras represents a potential molecular target for the therapy of this highly aggressive cancer. We now show that a bipartite adenovirus expressing a novel cancer-specific apoptosis-inducing cytokine gene, mda-7/interleukin-24 (IL-24), and a K-ras AS gene, but not either gene alone, promotes growth suppression, induction of apoptosis, and suppression of tumor development mediated by K-ras mutant pancreatic cancer cells. Equally, the combination of an adenovirus expressing mda-7/IL-24 and pharmacologic and genetic agents simultaneously blocking K-ras or downstream extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 signaling also promotes similar inhibitory effects on the growth and survival of K-ras mutant pancreatic carcinoma cells. This activity correlates with the reversal of a translational block in mda-7/IL-24 mRNA in pancreatic cancer cells that limits message association with polysomes, thereby impeding translation into protein. Our study provides support for a "dual molecular targeted therapy" involving oncogene inhibition and selective cancer apoptosis-inducing gene expression with potential for effectively treating an invariably fatal cancer.
AuthorsIrina V Lebedeva, Devanand Sarkar, Zao-Zhong Su, Rahul V Gopalkrishnan, Mohammad Athar, Aaron Randolph, Kristoffer Valerie, Paul Dent, Paul B Fisher
JournalCancer research (Cancer Res) Vol. 66 Issue 4 Pg. 2403-13 (Feb 15 2006) ISSN: 0008-5472 [Print] United States
PMID16489047 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Interleukins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • interleukin-24
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
Topics
  • Adenoviridae (genetics)
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis (genetics)
  • Cell Growth Processes (genetics)
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Genes, ras
  • Genetic Therapy (methods)
  • Humans
  • Interleukins (genetics)
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (metabolism)
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms (genetics, pathology, therapy)
  • RNA, Messenger (biosynthesis, genetics)
  • Signal Transduction (genetics)
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

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