New Gene Therapy Approach for Prostate Cancer at ICESP

Overview of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer among men. When detected early and localized, the five-year survival rate approaches 100%. However, this rate declines to 31% when the cancer metastasizes to other areas of the body. The first FDA-approved gene therapy experiment took place in 1990, opening the door for researchers to explore gene therapy as a potential treatment for various diseases, including cancer.

Innovative Research at ICESP

Researchers at the São Paulo State Cancer Institute (ICESP) in Brazil have tested a novel gene therapy approach for prostate cancer, with their findings recently published in the journal Gene Therapy. This research builds upon previous efforts to utilize gene therapy to combat this aggressive disease.

Limitations of Previous Gene Therapy Approaches

In earlier studies, the Brazilian team developed a gene therapy that involved genetically modifying a virus to eliminate its disease-causing ability. This virus was engineered to carry the p53 gene, renowned for its anti-tumor properties. The virus was injected into tumors, enabling it to infect cancer cells and deliver the p53 gene, which would ideally induce cell death in malignant tissues. Despite these advancements, initial experiments indicated that this strategy was insufficient to halt tumor progression entirely.

Advancements Through Combination Therapy

In their latest research, the scientists sought to enhance the efficacy of gene therapy by integrating it with chemotherapy. They administered a combination of gene therapy and one of three chemotherapy drugs—mitoxantrone, docetaxel, or cabazitaxel—to mice bearing prostate cancer cells, comparing their outcomes to control mice that received no treatment.

Outcomes of the Combination Therapy

The results demonstrated that the combination of gene therapy with either mitoxantrone or docetaxel did not yield significant benefits compared to the individual treatments. However, the pairing of cabazitaxel with gene therapy showed promising results, completely inhibiting tumor progression in the treated mice. While cabazitaxel is an established treatment for prostate cancer, it is associated with severe side effects that can significantly impact the immune system.

Reducing Side Effects with Lower Dosage

In this study, researchers used a reduced dosage of cabazitaxel in conjunction with gene therapy. This adjustment not only minimized the adverse effects but also proved adequate to prevent tumor growth. The research team is now focused on refining this therapeutic strategy further.

Future Directions in Gene Therapy

The ultimate goal of the researchers is to develop a gene therapy for prostate cancer that not only targets and destroys malignant cells but also activates the immune system to effectively combat the tumor. This dual approach aims to enhance the overall efficacy of prostate cancer treatments.

References

– Camasta, R. (PhD). Gene therapy for cancer: present status and future perspective. Molecular and Cellular Therapies, 2(27).
– Tamura, R. E., Lana, M. G., Costanzi-Strauss, E., & Strauss, B. E. Combination of cabazitaxel and p53 gene therapy abolishes prostate carcinoma tumor growth. Gene Therapy.
– Genetically modified virus combats prostate cancer. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-06/fda-gmv062619.php