Enhancing Cancer Treatment with Thymidine Phosphorylase
Author Information
Author(s): Evrard A, Cuq P, Ciccolini J, Vian L, Cano J-P
Primary Institution: Laboratoire de Toxicologie du Médicament, Faculté de Pharmacie, Montpellier, France
Hypothesis
Transfecting human thymidine phosphorylase into colorectal cancer cells will increase their sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil and 5′-deoxy-5-fluorouridine.
Conclusion
Transfecting cancer cells with thymidine phosphorylase significantly increases their sensitivity to certain anticancer drugs and enhances the bystander effect.
Supporting Evidence
- Transfected cells showed an 80-fold increase in sensitivity to 5-FU and a 40-fold increase for 5′-DFUR.
- The increase in drug sensitivity correlated with higher thymidine phosphorylase activity and expression.
- The bystander effect was observed without the need for direct cell contact.
Takeaway
Scientists found a way to make cancer cells more sensitive to treatment by adding a special gene, which helps the medicine work better, even on nearby cells.
Methodology
Human thymidine phosphorylase cDNA was transfected into LS174T human colon carcinoma cells, and the cytotoxic effects of 5-FU and 5′-DFUR were analyzed.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website