Treatment of cancer using smad3 inhibitor

Abstract

The present invention resides in the discovery that Smad3, a key downstream mediator of TGF-β signaling, plays a critical role in development and progression of cancer. Thus, this application provides for a novel method of treating cancer by inhibiting Smad3 signaling, such as through administration of SIS3, an inhibitor of Smad3. Further provided are compositions and kits useful for treating cancer by way of inhibiting Smad3 signaling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for inhibiting proliferation of a cell, comprising the step of contacting the cell with an effective amount of an inhibitor of Smad3. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cell is within a human body. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cell is a cancer cell. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the cancer cell is within a human body. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the cancer is lung carcinoma or melanoma. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor is SIS3. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor is a neutralizing antibody against Smad3, a peptide, an siRNA, a microRNA, a miniRNA, a lncRNA, an antisense oligonucleotide, or a small molecule. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the contacting step comprises subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, or oral administration. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the contacting step comprises subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, or oral administration. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor is administered in the form of a solution, a powder, a paste, a tablet, or a capsule. 
     
     
         11 . A composition comprising an effective amount of an inhibitor of Smad3 and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , which is formulated for subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, topical, or oral administration. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 11 , which is a solution, a powder, a paste, a tablet, or a capsule. 
     
     
         14 . A kit for inhibiting proliferation of a cell, comprising the composition of  claim 10 . 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the composition is formulated for subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, topical, or oral administration. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , further comprising an instruction manual for administration of the first and second compositions.