Okayama University e-Bulletin: Magic bullet vaccine for cancer treatment

October 08, 2014 02:54 PM EST By: Jennifer Rocha

Professor Hiromi Kumon and colleagues at Okayama University have developed a potentially more effective approach based on Reduced Expression in Immortalized Cells (REIC)—a tumor suppressor gene.

Story content courtesy of Okayama University, Japan

“In 2005 researchers at the Okayama University Medical School forced its expression using adenoviral vector (Ad-REIC) and discovered it caused selective death (apoptosis) of prostate cancer cells without damaging normal cells,” explains Professor Kumon. “Our approach is a combination of targeting and immunology for the treatment of cancer. Some people have referred to this as a ‘magic bullet’. We are working with international partners to develop an Ad-REIC/DKK3 vaccine to treat various intractable solid tumors.”

The important aspect of cancer treatment using Ad-REIC is that it is highly selective, and normal cells are not affected, where the action of Ad-REIC occurs almost 100% in prostate cancer, ~90% in malignant mesothelioma, and also high rates in other cases including kidney cancer.

Momotaro-Gene Inc—an Okayama University venture company— and Okayama University own the intellectual property for this treatment.

 

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