Re: Protein antifreeze

From: Doug Jones (random@qnet.com)
Date: Sun Jan 16 2000 - 08:57:16 MST


CurtAdams@aol.com wrote:
>
> Jeff Davis wrote:
>
> > >TAPETŪ (Tumor Amplified Protein Expression Therapy), Vion's core platform
> > >technology, are highly attenuated bacteria that, in preclinical
> > >studies, have demonstrated preferential replication in tumors compared to
> > >normal tissues.
>
> I suspect it's viruses, not bacteria.

The article (took a bit of digging to find it) says that it is a weakend
form of Salmonella, and "the unarmed bacteria by themselves have shown good
anti-tumor activity in animal models." Thus even without a specific
chemotherapy gene inserted it does a good job of making the cancer sick.

See
http://www.eurekalert.org/releases/vion-aeo011000.html

In order to *keep* the bacteria weakened, I'd suggest always growing it in
the presence of a key nutrient that had been removed from its own synthetic
ability- then the nutrient could be administered to the patient to keep the
infection alive, and removed at the end of therapy. Followed by a good
dose of an antibiotic :)

--
Doug Jones
Rocket Plumber, XCOR Aerospace
http://www.xcor-aerospace.com


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