Accession Number:

ADA581694

Title:

Testing Delivery Platforms for New Anticancer tRNA-Based Drugs

Descriptive Note:

Final rept. 15 Feb 2010-14 Feb 2011

Corporate Author:

CHICAGO UNIV IL

Personal Author(s):

• Pan, Tao

Report Date:

2011-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

8.0

Abstract:

Engineered transfer RNAs tRNA can be used to reprogram the genetic code and synthesize proteins of interest with new cellular properties. We developed a new class of tRNA mutants that promote numerous and harmful amino acid substitutions upon entering human cells and induce apoptosis. Our objective is to target this tRNA prototype called killer-tRNA specifically to cancer cells but sparing healthy blood stem cells and progenitors thereby developing the killer-tRNA as a potential therapeutic agent. Because the killer tRNAs share the exact same feature as all cellular tRNAs, they are undetectable and cannot be cleared by any defense mechanism, thereby constituting a perfect molecular Trojan horse for cell damage and cell death. We aim to test nanocarriers containing killer-tRNAs to human blood cancer cells acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma via the high-affinity folate receptors. Since the action of the killer-tRNA is on the synthesis of cellular proteins, it is not restricted to specific stages of cancer. Killer-tRNA can be used to reduce growth of the primary tumor, limit metastatic spread or target tumors at anatomical sites where surgery is difficult to perform.

Descriptors:

• *BLOOD CELLS
• *LEUKEMIA
• *THERAPY
• AMINO ACIDS
• BONE MARROW
• CANCER
• CELLS
• CELLS(BIOLOGY)
• CODING
• DAMAGE
• DEATH
• DEFENSE SYSTEMS
• GENETICS
• GROWTH(GENERAL)
• HUMANS
• METASTASIS
• MOLECULES
• MUTATIONS
• MYELOMA
• NEOPLASMS
• PROTEINS
• PROTOTYPES
• SITES
• STEM CELLS
• SUBSTITUTION REACTIONS
• SURGERY
• TEST AND EVALUATION
• TRANSFER

Subject Categories:

• Medicine and Medical Research

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE