These results suggest that the normal function of the mda-7 gene is to supply a signal that stops cells from becoming cancerous, and in order for cancers to become aggressive, they must turn off the mda-7 gene, said Dr. Chada. Thus, treatment of tumor cells with the mda-7 gene, using INGN 241, should block tumor growth.

We have shown, for the first time in humans, that MDA-7 protein is lost as tumors advance to become more aggressive and ultimately metastasize, said Dr. Grimm. We then hypothesized that replacing the mda-7 control function into tumor cells would stop tumor cell growth. In fact, when we treated melanoma cancer cells with Adenoviral-mda7 in the lab, they stopped growing and died. Just as important, when we performed the same experiment using normal, non-cancerous skin cells, Adenoviral-mda7 had no effect on their growth. Current therapies for advanced malignant melanoma (the most aggressive and advanced form of the disease) only provide a 20% survival rate at 5 years. Thus, novel therapies are urgently needed for this dire disease.

Introgen is a leader in the development and production of gene-based drugs for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Introgens product candidates engage precise molecular targets to produce a highly specific therapeutic effect. By selectively killing cancer cells and harnessing natural protection mechanisms, Introgens product candidates may be less toxic than conventional treatments. Introgen specializes in combining appropriate gene delivery systems and therapeutic genes to make its gene-based drugs. Introgens lead product candidate, INGN 201, is currently conducting two Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Introgens gene therapeutics have been used in approximately twenty clinical trials worldwide either alone or in combination wi
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Contact: Channing Burke
c.burke@introgen.com
512-708-9310
Porter Novelli
25-Oct-2001