Metastases May Be Identified Using Bioluminescent Genes

the Cancer Therapy Advisor take:

According to new research published in the journal Cancer Research, researchers at the Massey Cancer Institute and Institute of Molecular Medicine, both at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, have designed a new molecular imaging method that can better detect metastases from cancer, including bone metastases.

The novel, non-invasive, molecular-genetic technique detects a protein called AEG-1, which is expressed in the majority of cancer cells, but not normal cells. Using this method, researchers were able to detect bone metastases in animal models. There are currently no sensitive and specific non-invasive methods to identify bone metastases.

The technique combines AEG-Prom, a promoter that initiates gene activity, with bioluminescent substances and HSV1tk, a gene that activates a chemical reaction when certain radioactive substances are administered. The combination is then inserted into nanoparticles and administered intravenously. When the nanoparticles come in contact with c-MYC protein, a protein that is overexpressed in many cancers, AEG-Prom initiates a chemical reaction that results in bioluminesence of cancer metastases. Using sensitive imaging devices, the researchers can locate the metastases.

Researchers hope to start testing this method in clinical trials and also suggest that this method may be used to deliver targeted therapies.