Anti-cancer genes in dendrimer packaging
A technology for the transfer of anti-cancer genes using nanoparticles has been developedDmitry Safin, Compulenta
Gene therapy is currently considered to be perhaps the most promising method of cancer treatment, but progress in this area hinders the need to develop safe ways to deliver genes to tumor cells. Many scientific groups have tried to solve this problem; one of the most interesting (and, importantly, having commercial potential) technologies was recently presented by a joint team of researchers from England.
To transport the genes to their destination, the scientists chose dendrimeric nanoparticles made of polyropylenimine – polypropylenimine dendrimer, PPIG3 (dendrimers are a class of polymers whose molecules have a complex branched structure resembling a tree with a spherical crown). DNA molecules placed in a solution of these nanoparticles formed supramolecular compounds with them that are able to penetrate into tumor cells and stay there; the sizes of the resulting "DNA particles" varied from 33 to 286 nm. Experiments on mice have shown that when such particles are introduced into the animal's body, they are captured exclusively by cancer cells, without causing any harm to healthy ones. After entering the cell, the genes "force" it to produce proteins that gradually kill tumor cells. According to Andreas Schatzlein, representing the University of London, this selectivity of the action of genes has been demonstrated for the first time.
The figure shows the penetration of genes "packed" in nanoparticles (above) into macrophage cells. Cells that have captured DNA molecules are marked in green. For comparison, the data obtained by the simple introduction of DNA are given.
If the technique developed by British scientists proves its effectiveness during clinical trials, it is planned to be used primarily for the treatment of inoperable patients. "We hope to start testing on cancer patients in a couple of years," Mr. Shatzlein said.
A detailed description of the new technique was published by the journal Cancer Research.
Prepared based on Reuters materials.
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru12.03.2009