title: Aptamer:toxin conjugates that specifically target prostate tumor cells.
abstract: We have used RNA aptamer:gelonin conjugates to target and specifically destroy cells overexpressing the known cancer biomarker prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Aptamer:toxin conjugates have an IC50 of 27 nmol/L and display an increased potency of at least 600-fold relative to cells that do not express PSMA. The aptamer not only promotes uptake into target cells but also decreases the toxicity of gelonin in non-target cells. These results validate the notion that "escort aptamers" may be useful for the treatment of specific tumors expressing unique antigen targets.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA.
authors.forename: Ted C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lavery
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Rosenblum
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Ellington
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levy
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008297:Male; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D054789:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D052157:Aptamers, Nucleotide; D010940:Plant Proteins; D054789:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins, Type 1; C025674:GEL protein, Gelonium multiflorum; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen