Inhibition of human squamous cell carcinoma growth in vivo by epidermal growth factor receptor antisense RNA transcribed from a Pol III promoter

摘要

A nucleic acid is provided comprising an expression cassette which includes transcription control sequences of a member of a class of Pol III-transcribed genes in which no transcribed portion of the Pol III gene is required for transcription of the gene. In the expression cassette, the transcribed 5' hairpin structure of the Pol III gene is deleted. The transcription control sequences are operably linked to a sequence of an EGFR gene in an antisense orientation suitable for decreasing expression of EGFR in the cell when transcribed. A pharmaceutical composition including the nucleic acid is also provided. The pharmaceutical composition may include cationic liposomes, preferably DC-Chol/DOPE liposomes with which the nucleic acid is complexed. Lastly, a method for decreasing expression of EGFR in cells is provided that includes the step of contacting target cells with the nucleic acid of the present invention.