Treating Insulin Secreting Cells
OwnerF. Charles Brunicardiinventor
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Abstract
This invention relates to a recombinant nucleic acid for an RIP-tk (rat insulin promoter-thymidine kinase) construct that selectively targets insulin secreting cells, such as β-cells, PDX-1 positive human pancreatic ductal carcinomas, and other cells containing certain transcription factors. The present invention is useful in the treatment of pancreatic cancers, such as β-cell insulinomas and can also be used to target pancreatic tumors that do not express insulin, such as pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Claims14
1-118. (canceled)
A method of killing a pancreatic tumor cell in a subject, the method comprising:
- a) administering to a subject a nucleic acid comprising a vector with an insulin promoter having SEQ ID NO:1 operatively coupled to a cytotoxic gene, wherein the cytotoxic gene is thereby expressed in a pancreatic tumor cell that does not express insulin,
- b) administering a prodrug to said subject, wherein the prodrug is converted to a cytotoxic compound by the action of the protein encoded by said cytotoxic gene and thereby killing the pancreatic tumor cell that does not express insulin.
A method of treating pancreatic tumor cells in a subject, the method comprising:
- a) administering to a subject a nucleic acid comprising a vector with an insulin promoter having SEQ ID NO:1 operatively coupled to a cytotoxic gene, wherein the cytotoxic gene is thereby expressed in a PDX-1 positive pancreatic tumor cell,
- b) administering a prodrug to said subject, wherein the prodrug is converted to a cytotoxic compound by the action of the protein encoded by said cytotoxic gene and thereby killing the PDX-1 positive pancreatic tumor cell.
A method of killing a pancreatic tumor cell in a subject, the method comprising:
- a) administering to a subject a nucleic acid comprising a vector with an insulin promoter having SEQ ID NO:1 operatively coupled to a cytotoxic gene, wherein the cytotoxic gene is thereby expressed in a pancreatic tumor cell,
- b) administering a prodrug to said subject, wherein the prodrug is converted to a cytotoxic compound by the action of the protein encoded by said cytotoxic gene and thereby killing the pancreatic tumor cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.