Scientists develop new gene technology to aid breast cancer

Researchers have shown that they can deliver a gene directly into breast cancer cells causing them to self-destruct, using an innovative, miniscule gene transport system, according to the study published on Feb. 28 in the 'International Journal of Pharmaceutics.'

Study details
Lead researcher Dr. Helen McCarthy from Queen's School of Pharmacy, said patients could receive the targeted treatment 24-hours prior to chemotherapy session.

"The treatment would kill the breast cancer cells as well as improving the radiation or chemotherapy," the BBC quoted McCarthy as saying.

"In the long term, I see this being used to treat people with metastatic breast cancer that has spread to the bones, ideally administered before radiotherapy and chemotherapy."

The study was funded by Breast Cancer Campaign, a research charity organization based in the UK.

Gene might sabotage breast cancer cells
The transport system, named Designer Biomimetic Vector (DBV), packages a gene into a nanoparticle 400 times smaller than the width of a human hair, and targets straight into the breast cancer cells in laboratory conditions.

These nanoparticles are tiny bits of matter smaller than the thickness of a sheet of paper which can be manipulated using magnetic field to locate breast cancer cells.

The gene called iNOS specifically targets breast cancer cells using DBV and forces them to release poisonous nitric oxide, either killing the cells outright or making them more vulnerable to being destroyed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment, the Press Association reports.

"A major stumbling block to using gene therapy in the past has been the lack of an effective delivery system," Dr McCarthy said.

"Combining the Designer Biomimetic Vector with the iNOS gene has proved successful in killing breast cancer cells in the laboratory."

Since this approach leaves normal healthy breast cells untouched, the treatment might overcome many toxic side effects of the current procedures.

Further research needed
Though present trials have shown successful self-destruction of breast cancer cells, the researchers suggest that further investigation is needed in patients.

Dr McCarthy is now planning to turn nanoparticles into dry powder that could be easily transported and reconstituted before administration to patients.

Dr Lisa Wilde, of the Breast Cancer Campaign, said, "Gene therapy could potentially be an exciting avenue for treating breast cancer.

“Although at an early stage, Dr McCarthy's laboratory research shows that this system for delivering toxic genes to tumour cells holds great promise and we look forward to seeing how it is translated into patients."