Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common central nervous system (CNS) malignancy. The median survival is only 14 months. It is often characterized by the activation of one or more tyrosine kinase receptors, particularly epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). This receptor is dysregulated in about 60% of GBM tumors. EGFR amplification, over‐expression and constitutive activation leads to uncontrolled growth and proliferation of GBM. Although a great deal is known about the aberrant biology exhibited by EGFR‐activated GBM, the application of therapies against the biologic processes is limited by the blood‐brain barrier, which restricts systemically administered therapies from reaching the brain. Although anti‐sense RNAs and small interfering RNAs can be used to target and silence gene expression, exogenously expressed RNAs are susceptible to extracellular and intracellular nucleases as well as activation of cellular immunity against foreign nucleic acids. To bypass these degradatory mechanisms, we take advantage of a natural noncoding RNA gene architecture and the miRNA expression pathway along with an anti‐sense targeted approach to alter EGFR expression. In addition, we make use of a polycistronic delivery system to express RNAs targeting splicing and alternative poly‐A signal/G‐rich elements of the EGFR transcript. DNA delivery vectors were transfected into human GBM cell lines. Results show that our vectors were expressed at high levels with subsequent reduction in full‐length EGFR mRNA expression and concomitant activation of alternative therapeutic isoforms. Current strategies include using the polycistronic delivery mechanism to target additional oncogenic transcripts and adapting to a mouse model of GBM.Support or Funding InformationBristol‐Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, and the Independent College Fund of New JerseyThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.