Carrier:nucleic acids complexes containing nucleic acids encoding anti-angiogenic peptides and their use in gene therapy

Abstract

Carrier complexes comprising nucleic acid encoding an anti-angiogenic gene or peptide and optionally a further nucleic acid encoding a tumor suppressor protein are described. When administered to a subject bearing a tumor, the complexes can inhibit growth of the tumor.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A carrier:nucleic acid complex comprising nucleic acid encoding at least one anti-angiogenic protein or peptide, the complex being delivered by injection whereby the anti-angiogenic nucleic acid is expressed to inhibit tumor growth.  
     
     
         2 . The complex of  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting of liposomes, cationic polymers, micelles, microspheres, viruses, viral components, or combinations of such carriers.  
     
     
         3 . The complex of  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid within the complex is comprised of DNA or RNA.  
     
     
         4 . The complex of  claim 1 , wherein the complex additionally contains nucleic acid encoding a tumor suppressor protein.  
     
     
         5 . The complex of  claim 2 , wherein the complex additionally contains nucleic acid encoding a tumor suppressor protein.  
     
     
         6 . The complex of  claim 3 , wherein the tumor suppressor protein is p53.  
     
     
         7 . The complex of  claim 4 , wherein the tumor suppressor protein is p53.  
     
     
         8 . The complex of  claim 1 , additionally comprising a marker directing the complexes in vivo to a tumor or to tumor or peritumoral area.  
     
     
         9 . The complex of  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:11, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25; SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:31; SEQ ID NO:35; and SEQ ID NO: 37.  
     
     
         10 . The complex of  claim 1 , wherein the anti-angiogenic DNA is provided in a vector containing at least one promotor.  
     
     
         11 . A method for inhibiting tumor growth in a subject bearing a tumor, which comprises administering to the subject nucleic acid encoding at least one anti-angiogenic protein or peptide in a carrier whereby nucleic acid is expressed and tumor growth is inhibited.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting of liposomes, cationic polymers, micelles, microspheres, viruses, viral components, or combinations of such carriers.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , which further comprises providing a DNA encoding a tumor suppressor protein on the carrier.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the administration is by injection.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the administration is by injection.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the injection is intravenous injection.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the injection is intravenous injection.  
     
     
         18 . A method of inhibiting tumor growth in a subject bearing a tumor, which comprises injecting the subject with anti-angiogenic nucleic acid in a form in which the DNA is expressed in the tumor or a peritumoral area.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein nucleic acid encoding a tumor suppressor protein is additionally injected in a form which is expressed in the tumor or associated tumor vasculature.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the injection is intravenous.