"Suicide Gene" Therapy Stops Spread of Colorectal Cancer in Rodent Tests

A new technique for stopping the spread of colorectal cancer in rats has been developed by researchers at INSERM in Nice, France.

Researchers report the technique, called injectable "suicide gene" therapy, uses genetic material from gut bacterium (E coli) and converts it into a lethal drug that targets cancer cells and avoids the side effects of conventional chemotherapy by leaving healthy cells alone.

The DNA material was injected under the skin or directly into the tumor in rats whose colon cancer had spread into their liver. The rats were then given the antifungal drug 5-fluorocytosine, which was transformed into 5-fluoracil, a widely used chemotherapy drug.

Researchers found that the rats' liver tumors shrunk by an average of 70 percent within 30 days, compared to a group of rats that were not treated, according to their report in the journal Gut.

The technique also prevented the spread of cancer cells to other sites, and appeared to work equally as well when injected under the skin or directly into the tumor.

Investigators concluded that suicide gene therapy stimulates the immune system into producing a systemic response to the genetically modified cancer cells, affecting tumors at other sites of the body. Plans are underway to begin human studies of the therapy.

Other Sources: British Medical Association