We proposed to exploit hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha overexpression in prostate tumours and use this transcriptional machinery to control the expression of the suicide gene cytosine deaminase (CD) through binding of HIF-1alpha to arrangements of hypoxia response elements. CD is a prodrug activation enzyme, which converts inactive 5-fluorocytosine to active 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), allowing selective killing of vector containing cells.
Laure Marignol, Ruth Foley, Thomas Southgate, Mary Coffey, Donal Hollywood and Mark Lawler
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Prevention of Radiation-Induced Bladder Injury
Pelvic radiotherapy (RT) can cause debilitating bladder toxicities. In the recent study, Prevention of Radiation-Induced Bladder Injury: A Murine Study Using Captopril, researchers sought methods to protect against and alleviate RT-induced late bladder injury. See details and the full study here.
