"Jet Injection" for Gene Therapy - First Clinical Trial Evaluates Feasibility

14.11.2008 - (idw) Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin (MDC) Berlin-Buch

E m b a r g o e d u n t i l: Friday, November 14, 2008, 24:00 EST
For the first time in a clinical study, researchers of the Max Delbrück Center (MDC) Berlin-Buch and the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany, have tested a new technology enabling them to transfer genetic material directly into a tumor by means of high pressure. As Assistant Professors Wolfgang Walther, together with Professor Peter M. Schlag report in Clinical Cancer Research (Vol. 14, Nr. 22, 7545-7553)*, their results show that jet injection delivers genes into the tumor tissue safely and in a targeted manner. The application was well tolerated by all 17 patients enrolled in this study. In contrast to techniques which use viral vectors to transfer genes into the target cells, in the jet injection technique, the gene construct is transferred in small amounts directly into the tumor tissue in a "naked" form- that is, without any packaging. "Whereas viral gene transfer may still be limited due to safety concerns," Dr. Walther explained, "the application of naked gene constructs is considered to be safe." Moreover, due to its moderate costs and easy preparation procedures, jet injection can be used for a broad spectrum of clinical applications.

In continuation of this study, the scientists want to trigger apoptosis in the tumor tissue using jet injection-based gene transfer. A combination with other therapies, such as chemotherapy, could improve the antitumoral effect. "In preclinical animal experiments," Dr. Walther added, "we were already able to show that the tumor growth was significantly inhibited using this technology."

Novel jet-injection technology for nonviral intratumoral gene transfer in patients with melanoma and breast cancer

Wolfgang Walther1, Robert Siegel2, Dennis Kobelt1, Thomas Knösel3, Manfred Dietel3, Andreas Bembenek2, Jutta Aumann2, Mart in Schleef4, Ruth Baier4, Ulrike Stein1, and Peter M. Schlag2

1Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, Gene Therapy Group at the Dept. of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13092 Berlin, Germany
2Department of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Robert-Rössle-Tumor-Hospital, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125 Berlin, Germany
3Institute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
4PlasmidFactory GmbH & Co. KG, Meisenstr. 96, 33607 Bielefeld, Germany

Barbara Bachtler
Press and Public Affairs
Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch
Robert-Rössle-Str. 10?13125 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 30 94 06 - 38 96; Fax: +49 (0) 30 94 06 - 38 33
e-mail: presse@mdc-berlin.de
http://www.mdc-berlin.de/

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