Gene therapy with p53 and a fragment of thrombospondin I inhibits human breast cancer in vivo

Mol Genet Metab. 1998 Feb;63(2):103-9. doi: 10.1006/mgme.1997.2654.

Abstract

We recently reported that a p53 encoding plasmid (BAP-p53) complexed to liposomes administered intravenously markedly attenuates the growth of a malignant human breast tumor. We now have found that systemically delivered liposomes complexed to a plasmid expressing an established antiangiogenic peptide of thrombospondin I (BAP-TSPf) decreased the growth of MDA-MB-435 tumors compared to controls in nude mice. Compared to BAP-p53, the BAP-TSPf group had a similar antitumor efficacy. More importantly, liposomes complexed with BAP-TSPf and BAP-p53 synergistically decreased the growth of MDA-MB-435 tumors when compared to either BAP-p53 or BAP-TSPf alone. Furthermore, we also determined that the combination therapy of p53 and TSPf inhibited endothelial cells in vitro more than either p53 or TSPf alone. There was also a significant decrease of the blood vessel density in the combination p53 and TSPf treatment group compared to the control groups. These results suggest that liposomes complexed to a tumor suppressor and antiangiogenic genes may be effective in treating metastatic tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drug Synergism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Liposomes / therapeutic use
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / therapeutic use
  • Thrombospondin 1 / genetics
  • Thrombospondin 1 / therapeutic use*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Liposomes
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Thrombospondin 1
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53