A new strategy for cancer therapy based on a predictive indicator.
Takaaki Kirita, Kazuyoshi Ohnishi, Toshio Ohnishi · PubMed · 2001
Tumor-associated genes have been analyzed at the molecular level in recent years, and using the analyses of these genes as a predictive indicator for cancer therapy has attracted attention. Among such genes, the actions of a tumor suppressor gene p53 are focused on the cancer therapy, and it is suggested that p53 genotypes can be used as a predictive indicator for radiotherapy, thermotherapy and chemotherapy. Transfection of wtp53 to p53-null cells increased radiation- or thermo-sensitivity and stimulated apoptosis induced by these therapies. Although therapy-induced apoptosis is suppressed in mp53 cells, apoptosis can be stimulated by glycerol treatment as a chemical chaperone. Therefore, a new strategy of combining p53-targeted gene therapy or chemical chaperone therapies is expected to improve the outcome and efficiency of cancer therapy in the future.