TY - JOUR
T1 - Antisense regulation of oncogenes in human cancer
AU - Mukhopadhyay, Tapas
AU - Roth, Jack A.
PY - 1996
Y1 - 1996
N2 - Gene transfer or manipulation of genes for the treatment of cancer is a rapidly expanding field. In recent years, much attention has been focused on manipulating cancer genes and applying antisense technology in therapeutic ways. Consequently, antisense RNA control is now recognized as a specific means of regulating gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Defects in vital genes occur in many human diseases, including cancer, defects that may be due to an accumulation of mutations in the genes that leads to the production of faulty proteins. Although the biological significance of such mutant proteins still remains in question, recent experiments have demonstrated that genes overproducing faulty proteins are often associated with increased rumor cell growth. Moreover, using a stretch of antisense RNA to block the production of such defective proteins can effectively silence their genes; as a result, tumor cells stop dividing rapidly and revert to a more normal phenotype. Therefore, antisense RNA technology could have a significant impact on cancer gene therapy. Here, we have tried to give comprehensive coverage to some major cases of antisense RNA control of cancer-related genes highlighting the biological systems involved, the efficacy of the antisense RNA in altering target gene function, and how such antisense control affects the malignant phenotype. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of the antisense technique depends on the in-depth understanding of the target gene function and its role in carcinogenesis.
AB - Gene transfer or manipulation of genes for the treatment of cancer is a rapidly expanding field. In recent years, much attention has been focused on manipulating cancer genes and applying antisense technology in therapeutic ways. Consequently, antisense RNA control is now recognized as a specific means of regulating gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Defects in vital genes occur in many human diseases, including cancer, defects that may be due to an accumulation of mutations in the genes that leads to the production of faulty proteins. Although the biological significance of such mutant proteins still remains in question, recent experiments have demonstrated that genes overproducing faulty proteins are often associated with increased rumor cell growth. Moreover, using a stretch of antisense RNA to block the production of such defective proteins can effectively silence their genes; as a result, tumor cells stop dividing rapidly and revert to a more normal phenotype. Therefore, antisense RNA technology could have a significant impact on cancer gene therapy. Here, we have tried to give comprehensive coverage to some major cases of antisense RNA control of cancer-related genes highlighting the biological systems involved, the efficacy of the antisense RNA in altering target gene function, and how such antisense control affects the malignant phenotype. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of the antisense technique depends on the in-depth understanding of the target gene function and its role in carcinogenesis.
KW - Antisense
KW - Gene regulation
KW - Oncogene
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0030413992&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0030413992&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1615/CritRevOncog.v7.i3-4.20
DO - 10.1615/CritRevOncog.v7.i3-4.20
M3 - Review article
C2 - 9258601
AN - SCOPUS:0030413992
SN - 0893-9675
VL - 7
SP - 151
EP - 190
JO - Critical reviews in oncogenesis
JF - Critical reviews in oncogenesis
IS - 3-4
ER -