title: Minicells: versatile vectors for targeted drug or si/shRNA cancer therapy.
abstract: Effective cancer therapy continues to be a daunting challenge due mainly to considerable tumor cell heterogeneity, drug-resistance, and dose-limiting toxicity of therapeutics. Here we review a versatile nano-cellular (minicell) delivery vehicle that can be packaged with therapeutically effective concentrations of chemotherapeutic drugs, siRNAs or shRNAs and can be targeted to tumors via minicell-surface attached bispecific antibodies. A range of minicell-based therapeutics have shown highly effective tumor stabilization/regression in the murine xenograft model and in case studies in canines with late-stage endogenous tumors. Repeat intravenous dosing shows absence of toxicity or immunogenicity in both species. The minicell-based therapeutic has potential applications in personalized cancer medicine.
authors.affiliation: EnGeneIC Ltd, Cancer Therapeutics, Lane Cove West, Sydney, NSW 2066, Australia.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: MacDiarmid
authors.forename: Himanshu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brahmbhatt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002477:Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering