METHOD COMPOSITION FOR TREATING TUMORS BY SELECTIVE INDUCTION OF APOPTOSIS

摘要

Compositions and methods are provided for inducing death of cancer cells through apotposis mediated by the death ligand, TRAIL. The method comprising: introducing an expression vector into a group of cells comprising cells that express a receptor for TRAIL. The expression vector comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding TRAIL whose expression is preferably regulated by a conditional promoter in the vector. The cells into which the expression vector is introduced express TRAIL when conditions are suitable to activate the conditional promoter. The expressed TRAIL induces cell death in those cells which express the TRAIL receptor through interaction between TRAIL and the receptor such as DR4 and DR5. The method can be used for treating tumors site-specifically and in a dose-adjustable manner.