Nucleic Acid Based Cancer Imaging Biomarkers
Under Development
| Period from: | 2008-10-01 to 2010-03-31 |
| Principal Investigators: | Dr. John Mercer |
| Institution: | Alberta Cancer Board |
| Department: | Cross Cancer Institute |
| Partner: | Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Corporation |
| Program: | Biomarker Pilot Research Project |
| Abstract: |
New discoveries that come from basic research laboratories have often turned out to provide new approaches for the detection and treatment of cancer. There has been considerable interest recently in the use of novel constructs composed of nucleic acids which are the same components that make up the DNA present in cells. When these nucleic acid units are used as building blocks, compounds with unique characteristics and unique applications can be prepared. This project uses two different types of nucleic-acid based compounds in a project that seeks to detect events occurring in tumor cells that can provide information to guide effective treatment.
One effective treatment for cancer is radiation therapy. Tumor cells can be killed by radiation but in some cases the treatment is not effective because cells can protect themselves from radiation by producing a product called p21 mRNA. The process is complex but cells capable of producing this product will be much more resistant to radiation. One of our research efforts is to design a nucleic- acid based compound that will bind selectively to the p21 mRNA in the tumor cell. By attaching a radioactive atom to this nucleic acid, it would be possible to use medical imaging to detect the presence of p21 mRNA and, therefore, tumors that will be resistant to radiation therapy.
In a related project, we are working with another nucleic-acid polymer known as an aptamer. Again we would be using an attached radioactive atom and medical imaging to observe the binding of this compound. In this case the target of the binding is a unique cell surface signature that occurs when cells start to die. A compound called phosphatidylserine (PS) is normally found only inside cells. When tumor cells are treated effectively with chemotherapy or radiation therapy the PS starts to appear on the cell surface. By detecting this cell surface PS we can identify cell death and hence an effective treatment. This imaging procedure has the potential to provide evidence of an effective cancer treatment long before changes in the tumor size would be seen.
The project is presently working toward a pre-clinical proof of principal for these ideas but it has a significant potential to provide clinical tools to assist in cancer therapy.
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| Funding Information: | |
| 2008-2009 | $54,167 |
| 2009-2010 | $10,833 |
| TOTAL | $65,000 |
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