US 2003/0212147 A1 · Enzyme activated chemotherapy of liver cancer

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of screening for anti-cancer drugs based on the activities of overexpressed enzymes by the cancer cells to convert non-toxic compounds to cytotoxic drugs which can specifically kill these cancer cells. In particular, the present invention provides methods of screening for anti-cancer drugs which can be used to treat liver cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma. The present invention also provides methods of treating cancers, in particular liver cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma, by administering to a subject the drugs selected by the screning methods of the present invention. In a particular embodiment, naphthalene or a derivative thereof is administered to a subject. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions for treating or ameliorating cancers as well as kits containing such compositions.

Claims37

Dependent claims

A method of screening for an anti-cancer drug comprising:

contacting a cancer cell overexpressing an enzyme with a candidate drug in the presence or absence of an inhibitor to the enzyme;
measuring a level of a substance correlatable with the level of cell death as a result of exposure of the cell to the drug;
and
comparing the levels of the substance in the presence and absence of the inhibitor;
wherein a difference in the level of the substance in the absence of the inhibitor indicates that the drug has an anti-cancer activity against the cancer cell overexpressing the enzyme.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Enzyme activated chemotherapy of liver cancer

Life of this patent

Enzyme activated chemotherapy of liver cancer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37