title: Control of solid tumor growth in mice using EGF receptor-targeted RNA replicase-based plasmid DNA.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previously, it was shown that treatment of tumor-bearing mice with an RNA replicase-based plasmid that produces dsRNA when transfected into tumor cells significantly inhibited the tumor growth. In the present study, the feasibility of further improving the anti-tumor activity of the RNA replicase-based plasmid by targeting it into tumors cells was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  An EGF-conjugated, polyethylene glycosylated cationic liposome was developed to deliver the RNA replicase-based plasmid, pSIN-β, into EGF receptor-overexpressing human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-468) in vitro and in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Delivery of pSIN-β using the EGF receptor-targeted liposome more effectively controlled the growth of MDA-MB-468 tumors (and human epidermoid carcinoma A431 tumors) in mice than using untargeted liposome. The pSIN-β carried by the EGF receptor-targeted liposome caused the complete regression of MDA-MB-468 tumors in mice, probably due to the enhancement of its proapoptotic, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tumor-targeted RNA replicase-based plasmids hold a strong potential in tumor therapy.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
authors.forename: B Leticia
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Xinran
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kiguchi
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DiGiovanni
authors.forename: Evan C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Unger
authors.forename: Zhengrong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D008081:Liposomes; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004247:DNA; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D012324:RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase