AntiCancer Inc. Develops Whole-Body Imaging of Tumor Angiogenesis.Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers BIOWIRE2K SAN DIEGO--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 26, 2001 AntiCancer Inc. scientists announced today that they have developed a new technology that enables angiogenesis, or blood vessel formation, in tumors tumor /tu·mor/ (too´mer) 1. swelling, one of the cardinal signs of inflammation; morbid enlargement. 2. neoplasm; a new growth of tissue in which cell multiplication is uncontrolled and progressive. to be non-invasively imaged in mouse models of cancer. The technology involves genetically engineering tumor cells to become highly fluorescent by expressing the jellyfish jellyfish or jel·ly·fish·es green fluorescent protein (GFP GFP - Generic Framing Procedure1. Any of numerous marine coelenterates of the class Scyphozoa, some poisonous species of which, notably the Portuguese man-of-war, produce a toxin that can be injected into the skin by nematocysts on the tentacles, causing linear wheals. 2. Any of various similar or related coelenterates. GFP - Giovane Fotografo Professionista (Italian) GFP - Global Field Power GFP - Global Functional Plane GFP - Glutton for Punishment GFP - Government Furnished Program GFP - Government Furnished Property GFP - Government-Furnished Parts GFP - Grandmothers for Peace GFP - Green Fluorescent Protein GFP - Ground Fault Protection/Protector GFP - Guaranty Fund Program). When the genetically fluorescent tumors are transplanted to appropriate mouse models, the tumor blood vessels, which originate from the host animals, are readily quantitatively whole-body imaged by their stark contrast to the fluorescent tumors. The mice are not perturbed in the imaging process -- only a blue light is shined on them causing the tumors to glow a bright green with the blood vessels appearing black. The fluorescent tumor models can then be used for drug discovery and evaluation in the worldwide effort to find drugs that are effective against tumor blood vessel formation. Attacking tumor angiogenesis is thought to be one of the most promising targets to arrest and reverse metastatic tumor growth. AntiCancer's new angiogenesis model is described in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. Dr. Shigeo Yagi, general manager of AntiCancer said, "With AntiCancer's new development, there is, for the first time, a relevant and useful animal model of tumor angiogenesis. Tumor angiogenesis can now be followed non-invasively in real time by whole-body imaging. This should now enable efficient drug discovery in this critical process of tumor growth and metastasis 1. transfer of disease from one organ or part of the body to another not directly connected with it, due either to transfer of pathogenic microorganisms or to transfer of cells; all malignant tumors are capable of metastasizing. 2. a growth of pathogenic microorganisms or of abnormal cells distant from the site primarily involved by the morbid process. ." AntiCancer is currently utilizing its unique animal models of cancer to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide to discover and develop effective drugs for cancer. AntiCancer, based in San Diego, has also developed whole-body fluorescent imaging technology to visualize tumor growth and metastasis non-invasively in mouse models. The company in addition is developing genetically-engineered cancer drugs; gene therapy for cancer and hair loss; as well as genetically-engineered diagnostics of cancer and cardiovascular disease through its A/C Diagnostics subsidiary. AntiCancer has 40 employees. |
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