Two-in-one: combined targeted chemo and gene therapy for tumor suppression and prevention of metastases.

AIMS: To develop an approach for the effective treatment of ovarian tumor, prevention of metastases and limitation of side effects.

MATERIALS &

METHODS

In order to combine chemotherapy with genotherapy, we constructed a nanoscale-based tumor-targeted system containing two anticancer drugs, two antisense oligonucleotides (suppressors of cellular resistance) and a ligand specific to receptors overexpressed in cancer cells. The system was tested in a mouse metastatic xenograft model using tumor isolates from patients with ovarian carcinoma.

RESULTS

Treatment with the proposed nanosystem decreased primary tumor, prevented intraperitoneal metastases and limited adverse side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The advantages of the proposed targeted complex treatment of primary aggressive ovarian tumor and prevention of metastases make the proposed approach promising for clinical applications.