title: Selective gelatinase inhibitor peptide is effective in targeting tongue carcinoma cell tumors in vivo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are strongly associated with cancer progession. Broad-spectrum MMP inhibition is rarely beneficial clinically due to adverse effects. Of all MMPs, the gelatinases are associated with the spread of several types of cancer, including oral carcinoma. We have developed gelatinase-specific peptides, as well as their fusion with green fluorescent protein (GFP), capable of effectively targeting carcinomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Effects on tumor growth and lymphatic micrometastatic spread in vivo was studied by use of HSC-3-cell xenografted athymic nude mice. Antigelatinolytic mono- vs. polytherapies, as well as biological activity of peptide-GFP fusion, were also analyzed in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antigelatinolytic therapy effectively inhibited growth of xenografted tumors in mice but the proportion of enlarged lymph nodes remained the same; antigelatinolytic polytherapy seemed not to potentiate the antitumor effects. The peptide-GFP chimera sustained its activity in vivo and effectively homed to the primary tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peptide gelatinase inhibitors are effective in inhibiting primary tumor growth but alone do not prevent the spread of carcinoma cells; however, their bioactive GFP fusion is a candidate for tumor characterization and imaging.
authors: Department of Cell Biology of Oral Diseases, Institute of Dentistry at the Faculty of Medicine, Biomedicum Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland. juho.suojanen@helsinki.fi
authors: Juho
authors: J
authors: Suojanen
authors: Suvi-Tuuli
authors: ST
authors: Vilen
authors: Pia
authors: P
authors: Nyberg
authors: Pia
authors: P
authors: Heikkilä
authors: Oula
authors: O
authors: Penate-Medina
authors: Per E J
authors: PE
authors: Saris
authors: Jaana
authors: J
authors: Hagström
authors: Tanja-Maria
authors: TM
authors: Ranta
authors: Tuula
authors: T
authors: Salo
authors: Timo
authors: T
authors: Sorsa
authors: Justus
authors: J
authors: Reunanen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D018093:Gelatinases; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9