Gene therapy used to trigger cancer cells' self-destruction

RESEARCHERS have harnessed the power of X-ray beams to kick start genes into fighting cancer.

Scientists from the University of Ulster used gene therapy to enhance the effects of radiotherapy and to encourage cancer cells to "commit suicide".

The scientists used a new type of "switch" which was activated by the precise X-ray beam pointed at cancer cells. This ensured that the treatment affected only cancer cells and not normal ones, according to research published in the Journal of Gene Medicine.

After successful tests on mice, the researchers now hope to move on to clinical trials with patients.

Prof David Hirst, Dr Jenny Worthington and Dr Tracy Robson, all based in Newtownabbey, used gene therapy to increase the amount of nitric oxide in tumour cells.

This molecule kills cancer cells and can also enhance radiotherapy treatment by mimicking the oxygen needed for the process to work in the cells.

Lead researcher Dr Worthington said: "We delivered a gene to tumours that encourages cells to make nitric oxide.

"The gene had a switch attached so we could turn it on only in cancer cells, which is important because enhancing nitric oxide production throughout the body could be dangerous."

Prof Hirst said by using the technique they had seen a two fold increase in the effectiveness of radiotherapy on tumours. This would allow doctors to use less radiation and reduce the side effects of treatment.

"Alternatively they could use the same dose of radiation and kill more cancer cells," he said.

The team also found they had successfully targeted cancerous cells and that only the tumour cells and the cells immediately around them had produced more nitric oxide.

The team thinks the technique will be ready to test on patients after some further refinements.

They are also looking at whether it could enhance chemotherapy treatment as well as radiotherapy.

Prof Robert Souhami, director of clinical and external affairs at Cancer Research UK, which funded the study, said: "Cancer is a complex disease and we need imaginative approaches to combat it.

"Using a switch turned on with a precisely directed X-ray beam is one such approach and holds promise in targeting treatment towards cancer cells and avoiding healthy cells.

"Cancer Research UK is researching a wide range of gene therapies in order to harness the technique's full potential against cancer."