Preclinical study on combined chemo- and nonviral gene therapy for sensitization of melanoma using a human TNF-alpha expressing MIDGE DNA vector

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Preclinical study on combined chemo- and nonviral gene therapy for sensitization of melanoma using a human TNF-alpha expressing MIDGE DNA vector
Creators Name:	Kobelt, D. and Aumann, J. and Schmidt, M. and Wittig, B. and Fichtner, I. and Behrens, D. and Lemm, M. and Freundt, G. and Schlag, P.M. and Walther, W.
Abstract:	Nonviral gene therapy represents a realistic option for clinical application in cancer treatment. This preclinical study demonstrates the advantage of using the small-size MIDGE(R) DNA vector for improved transgene expression and therapeutic application. This is caused by significant increase in transcription efficiency, but not by increased intracellular vector copy numbers or gene transfer efficiency. We used the MIDGE-hTNF-alpha vector for high-level expression of hTNF-alpha in vitro and in vivo for a combined gene therapy and vindesine treatment in human melanoma models. The MIDGE vector mediated high-level hTNF-alpha expression leads to sensitization of melanoma cells towards vindesine. The increased efficacy of this combination is mediated by remarkable acceleration and increase of initiator caspase 8 and 9 and effector caspase 3 and 7 activation. In the therapeutic approach, the nonviral intratumoral in vivo jet-injection gene transfer of MIDGE-hTNF-alpha in combination with vindesine causes melanoma growth inhibition in association with increased apoptosis in A375 cell line or patient derived human melanoma xenotransplant (PDX) models. This study represents a proof-of-concept for an anticipated phase I clinical gene therapy trial, in which the MIDGE-hTNF-alpha vector will be used for efficient combined chemo- and nonviral gene therapy of malignant melanoma.
Keywords:	Cancer, Gene Therapy, Melanoma, Nonviral Gene Transfer, TNF-alpha, Animals, Mice
Source:	Molecular Oncology
ISSN:	1574-7891
Publisher:	Elsevier
Volume:	8
Number:	3
Page Range:	609-619
Date:	May 2014
Additional Information:	Copyright © 2014 Federation of European Biochemical Societies
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molonc.2013.12.019
External Fulltext:	View full text on PubMed Central
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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