PRIMING OF PANCREATIC TUMORS CELLS AND CANCER STEM CELLS TO TRAIL-INDUCED APOPTOSIS

摘要

The present invention relates particularly to use of JNK inhibition together with administration of TRAIL to selectively suppress cancer stem cells. The present inventors undertook to identify selective molecular pathways that would be highly effective in inhibiting cancer growth, specifically that of cancer stem cells. In one embodiment provided herein a method of treating pancreatic cancer in a patient is provided that includes administration of a low-dose of a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor in combination with a low-dose of a TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL"). In certain embodiments the low-dose of the JNK inhibitor is a dose that corresponds to an in vitro dose that will reduce cell viability in a pancreatic cell line by 20% or less. In certain specifically exemplified embodiments, the low-dose of TRAIL is a dose that corresponds to a dose of 1 mg/kg or less.