Targeting pax2 for the induction of defb1-mediated tumor immunity and cancer therapy

Abstract

Provided is a method of treating cancer in a subject by inhibiting expression of PAX2. An example of a cancer treated by the present method is prostate cancer. In the cancer treatment methods disclosed, the method of inhibiting expression of PAX2 can be by administration of a nucleic acid encoding an siRNA for PAX2. A method of treating cancer in a subject by administering DEFB1 is also provided. Similarly, provided is a method of treating cancer in a subject by increasing expression of DEFB1 in the subject.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating cancer in a subject, comprising:
 administering an effective amount of DEFB1 protein or a variant of DEFB1 protein to said subject.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said DEFB1 protein is human DEFB1. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said human DEFB1 protein has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:63. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said variant of DEFB1 protein has a 90% sequence homology to SEQ ID NO:63. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said variant of DEFB1 protein has a 95% sequence homology to SEQ ID NO:63. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said cancer is prostate cancer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said DEFB1 protein or variant of DEFB1 protein is administered with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said DEFB1 protein or variant of DEFB1 protein is conjugated to an antibody, a receptor or a receptor ligand to target a particular cell type. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said DEFB1 protein or variant of DEFB1 protein is administered intramuscularly. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said DEFB1 protein or variant of DEFB1 protein is administered intravenously. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said DEFB1 protein or variant of DEFB1 protein is formulated for sustained release. 
     
     
         23 . A composition for treating cancer, comprising:
 an effective amount of DEFB1 protein or a variant of DEFB1 protein; and   a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,   wherein said composition is formulated for parenteral administration.   
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said DEFB1 protein is human DEFB1. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said human DEFB1 protein has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:63. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said variant of DEFB1 protein has a 90% sequence homology to SEQ ID NO:63. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said variant of DEFB1 protein has a 95% sequence homology to SEQ ID NO:63. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said composition is conjugated to an antibody, a receptor or a receptor ligand to target a particular cell type. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said composition is formulated for intramuscular administration. 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said composition is formulated for intravenous administration. 
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 23 , wherein said composition is formulated for sustained release.