title: Anti-cancer activity of the HIV accessory molecule viral protein R (Vpr): Delivery as a DNA expression plasmid or biologically active peptides.
abstract: By virtue of its ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, the HIV accessory protein Vpr (viral protein R) has been evaluated by us and others as an anti-proliferative/anti-cancer agent. We have demonstrated that Vpr, when delivered to established experimental B16.F10 melanoma tumors in mice as a DNA expression plasmid through in vivo electroporation, can result in complete regression of the established tumors. We have also demonstrated that Vpr peptides from the carboxy region of the protein can inhibit in vitro growth of both B16.F10 melanoma as well as human HeLa cervical carcinoma tumor cells. These findings, summarized in this report, underscore the potential of Vpr as an anti-cancer agent and warrants, we believe, further experimental as well as clinical evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Karrupiah
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Muthumani
authors.forename: Vance M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Omkar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kawalekar
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: J Joseph
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: Kenneth E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Ugen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018274:Electroporation; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D051379:Mice; D010957:Plasmids; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D054325:vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D019444:Vaccines, DNA; D054325:vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus