The University of Texas System

Bandana Chatterjee

Arun K Roy

Shuo Chen

Santanu Bose

Yan Lavrovsky

Rakesh K Tyagi

Chung S Song

The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions employing the oncolytic activity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to treat cancer and other neoplastic disorders.

Methods and compositions for treatment of cancer using oncolytic RSV activity

Highly specific hammerhead ribozymes are provided that human target estrogen receptor mRNA. These ribozymes, designated RZ1 through RZ7 provide predictable mRNA cleavage products. Methods for inhibiting estrogen-dependent tumor growth, such as that characteristic of breast cancer, are also provided employing these ribozymes. One or both of the ribozymes may be used together or separately with equal efficiency. The ribozymes possess a sequence region with a catalytic core that provides the attributed catalytic activity to these ribozymes.

Estrogen receptor site-specific ribozymes and uses thereof for estrogen dependent tumors

Disclosed are methods and compositions, including antisense and antigene constructs and pharmaceutical formulations thereof, for use in regulating androgen receptor gene expression. The promoter activity of the androgen receptor gene is herein shown to include a critical upstream acting domain with a unique sequence, the unique nucleic acid sequence corresponding to positions 1697 and 2084, particularly between positions 1697 and 1717, as defined in SEQ ID NO:1. The AR gene promoter sequence, herein characterized as having a a particular nucleotide sequence defined between nucleotides 1697 and 2084 of SEQ ID NO:1, is characterized as important in the regulation of androgen receptor gene expression. Oligonucleotides and triple helix forming oligonucleotides (TFO) that bind to this region and that have nucleic acid sequences corresponding particularly to the region between positions 1697 and 2084 of the androgen receptor gene promoter region provide specific and potent inhibition of AR promoter region function in cellulo. Rat and human nuclear proteins, more specifically described as novel trans-activating proteins that specifically bind to this region of the androgen receptor gene, are also identified. These proteins may be used to prepare specific antibodies to the protein, as well as to regulate the expression of the AR gene. The oligonucleotide compositions of the invention may be used as molecular probes for the androgen receptor gene, as well as to inhibit the expression of the androgen receptor gene. The compositions may also be used in the treatment of pathologies characterized by overexpression of the androgen receptor gene, including prostatic hypertrophy and androgenetic alopecia.

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San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Bandana Chatterjee