Tumor-Specific Imaging Through Progression Elevated Gene- 3 Promoter, (PEG-Prom) Driven Gene Expression

PEG-Prom mediated reporter expression systems

Researchers may be a step closer to improving the detection of metastatic tumors in an organism — in real time — using a noninvasive approach that pairs an imaging agent with a genetic element that only expresses itself when it is in cancer cells.

The work, a collaborative effort between Virginia Commonwealth University and Johns Hopkins University, could lead to improved and earlier detection of tumors and metastases in patients and allow clinicians to monitor the cancer's response to therapy. The research builds upon a genetic element previously discovered and characterized by a VCU researcher Paul B. Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D.

In the new study, published online in the December issue of the journal Nature Medicine, VCU researchers, together with researchers from the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, have shown how the genetic element, known as progression elevated gene-3 promoter, or PEG-Prom, can be used to image metastases in multiple animal models of human melanoma and human breast metastasis. The system can be used to measure gene expression, protein interaction or track gene-tagged cells in vivo. This approach offers significant advantages in sensitivity and accuracy over currently used imaging strategies.

PEG-Prom, which has been shown to have unique cancer specificity, was originally cloned in Fisher’s laboratory during his time at Columbia University. Fisher is VCU’s principal investigator on the study, and the first incumbent of the Thelma Newmeyer Corman Endowed Chair in Cancer Research with the VCU Massey Cancer Center.

“The PEG-Prom is the unique aspect of this innovative imaging approach. It is a cancer-specific region of the PEG-3 gene that selectively expresses when in cancer cells. It has minimal expression in normal tissue or animals without cancer,” said Fisher, who also is professor and chair of the Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, and director of the VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine in the VCU School of Medicine.

“This new, non-invasive imaging approach will allow researchers to test chemoprevention strategies and to use repeat applications to follow the course of therapy over time and more accurately define therapeutic outcome and response to therapy than using current methodologies,” he said.

“The potential for this approach to translate into a more effective mode of imaging in humans is extremely high. The benefits to patients would be enormous. One could diagnose tumor formation and cancer that has spread earlier and therefore allow testing of effective therapies. When combined with a therapeutic agent — a radiation emitting compound, a chemotherapeutic agent, or a cytokine such as mda-7/IL-24 — it could in the future permit both imaging and therapy of cancers and metastases (“theranostics”),” Fisher said.

According to Fisher, specific aspects of this technology are patented or in the process of being patented.

This work was supported by grants from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation Fellowship Program, the National Institutes of Health and the National Foundation for Cancer Research.

The senior author was Martin G. Pomper, M.D., Ph.D., professor at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. The bulk of the studies described in this paper represent a long-term collaboration between research programs directed by Pomper at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and Fisher. The studies were performed by Carrie Bhang, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research scientist in Pomper’s laboratory.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A copy of the study is available for reporters by email request from press@nature.com.
Virginia Commonwealth University
VCU researcher Paul B. Fisher, M.Ph., Ph.D.

Sathya Achia Abraham
VCU Communications and Public Relations
(804) 827-0890
sbachia@vcu.edu

Molecular-genetic imaging is advancing from a valuable preclinical tool to a guide for patient management. The strategy involves pairing an imaging reporter gene with a complementary imaging agent in a system that can be used to measure gene expression or protein interaction or track gene-tagged cells in vivo. Tissue-specific promoters can be used to delineate gene expression in certain tissues, particularly when coupled with an appropriate amplification mechanism. Here we show that the progression elevated gene-3 (PEG-3) promoter, derived from a rodent gene mediating tumor progression and metastatic phenotypes, can be used to drive imaging reporters selectively to enable detection of micrometastatic disease in mouse models of human melanoma and breast cancer using bioluminescence and radionuclide-based molecular imaging techniques. Because of its strong promoter activity, tumor specificity and capacity for clinical translation, PEG-3 promoter–driven gene expression may represent a practical, new system for facilitating cancer imaging and therapy. http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/