New Cancer Fight Hopes ; Success for Ulster Team in Gene Therapy Tests
Posted on: Tuesday, 25 May 2004, 06:00 CDT
NORTHERN Ireland researchers have harnessed the power of X-ray beams to kickstart genes into fighting cancer, a study revealed today.
Scientists from Cancer Research UK used gene therapy to enhance the effects of radiotherapy and to encourage cancer cells to "commit suicide", according to research in the Journal of Gene Medicine.
The scientists used a new type of "switch" which was activated by the precise X-ray beam pointed at cancer cells which ensured that the treatment affected only cancer cells and not normal ones.
After successful tests in mice, the researchers now hope to move on to clinical trials with patients.
Professor David Hirst, Dr Jenny Worthington and Dr Tracy Robson, from the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, used gene therapy to increase the amount of a molecule called nitric oxide in tumour cells.
This molecule kills cancer cells and can also enhance radiotherapy treatment by mimicking oxygen which is needed for radiotherapy to work in the cells.
Lead researcher Dr Worthington said: "We delivered a gene to tumours that encourages cells to make nitric oxide.
"The gene had a switch attached so we could turn it on only in cancer cells, which is important because enhancing nitric oxide production throughout the body could be dangerous.
"Our strategy avoids that."
Professor Hirst said by using the technique they had seen a two- fold increase in the effectiveness of radiotherapy on tumours.
"That means doctors could achieve the same radiotherapy benefit using much less radiation than they would otherwise use, so reducing the side effects of treatment.
"Alternatively they could use the same dose of radiation and kill more cancer cells," he said.
The team also looked at how successful they had been in targeting the gene therapy to the cancerous cells.
They found that the production of nitric oxide had only been enhanced in the tumour cells and the cells immediately around them.
Professor Hirst and his team think the technique will be ready to test on patients after some further refinements.
They are also looking at whether it could enhance chemotherapy treatment as well as radiotherapy.
Professor Robert Souhami, director of clinical and external affairs at Cancer Research UK, which funded the study, said: "Cancer is a complex disease and we need imaginative approaches to combat it.
"Using a switch turned on with a precisely directed x-ray beam is one such approach, and holds promise in targeting treatment towards cancer cells and avoiding healthy cells.
"Cancer Research UK is researching a wide range of gene therapies in order to harness the technique's full potential against cancer."
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