NEWS: AntiCancer Inc. Develops New Gene-Based Fluorescence-Labeling Technology for Cancer Surgery
SAN DIEGO, Aug
19, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- AntiCancer, Inc. scientists, collaborating with
scientists from Okayama University in Japan, have utilized a cancer-specific
adenovirus to deliver and express the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene
selectively in tumors in mouse models of disseminated cancer. All the cancer in
the mice became genetically-labeled with GFP and fluoresced brightly green
after the GFP adenovirus was administered to the mice. Using a simple lighting
and filter apparatus, the scientists could readily see all of the cancer in the
mice in contrast to when the cancer was observed under normal lighting, when
most of cancer is invisible. Using fluorescent-guidance, scientists were able
to successfully surgically remove all the disseminated cancer.
"The ability
to selectively make cancer cells fluoresce in a living organism now enables all
the cancer to be visualized, even cancer that is invisible under normal light.
This enables the complete removal of all the cancer. If microscopic cancer still
remains, the surgeon now has options: Either the remaining cancer can be better
visualized and targeted using a surgical microscope or, since the cancer has
been made genetically-fluorescent, any recurring cancer will still be
fluorescent and will be able to be detected and removed subsequently,"
said Charlene M. Cooper, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
AntiCancer. The current study was published this week in the Early Edition of
the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. AntiCancer scientists
and Okayama University scientists, led by Dr. Toshiyoshi Fujiwara, hope that in
the near future AntiCancer's surgical-labeling technology can be brought in to
the clinic.
AntiCancer,
founded in 1984 and based in San Diego, has developed the leading mouse models
of cancer including MetaMouse(R) and AngioMouse(R). These models are made
imageable with AntiCancer's OncoBrite(R) technology using fluorescent proteins.
AntiCancer is also developing new cancer drugs based on genetic engineering that
target cancer-specific metabolic defects. AntiCancer is developing
tumor-targeting bacteria. The company is also developing
recombinant-enzyme-based diagnostics for cancer and cardiovascular disease.
AntiCancer offers the Histoculture Drug Response Assay (HDRA) for
individualized cancer treatment. AntiCancer pioneered hair follicle gene
therapy and is now pioneering the use of pluripotent hair-follicle stem cells
for regenerative medicine for nerve and spinal cord injury.
For further
information, contact Charlene M. Cooper, AntiCancer, Inc., via e-mail:
all@anticancer.com.
SOURCE:
AntiCancer, Inc.
AntiCancer, Inc. Charlene M. Cooper, +1-858-654-2555 all@anticancer.com Copyright
Business Wire 2009
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