title: Novel immunotherapeutic approaches to skin cancer treatments using protein transduction technology.
abstract: Protein-transduction domains (PTDs) are short stretches of cationic amino acids that enable peptides, proteins, oligonucleotides, and other reagents to efficiently enter multiple cell types. Therefore, PTDs offer unique therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of many diseases. Previous studies examined the in vivo distribution of PTD-containing fusion proteins following administration via different routes, including portal vein, intravenous, intraperitoneal, and oral administration. Skin may be an appropriate target organ for this new molecular-carrier system; however, there are no studies on the in vivo kinetics and biological effects of PTD-containing proteins following intradermal application. Among the PTDs, poly-arginine peptides, especially nona-arginine (R9), is transported most efficiently with minimal cytotoxicity. Here, we review protein transduction technology from a different angle, as a novel tool in immunotherapeutic approaches to the skin cancers that depend on the biological characteristics of poly-arginine. This could be used in place of gene therapy for skin cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo-shi, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan. naotakas@yamanashi.ac.jp
authors.forename: Naotaka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shibagaki
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mitsui
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inozume
authors.forename: Mirei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanzaki
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimada
mesh_terms: D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000235:genetics; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014161:Transduction, Genetic
chemical_list: D057846:Cell-Penetrating Peptides; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins