A New Possibility for the Medical Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinomas

This DNAzyme safely targets the signal transduction pathways responsible for tumor development.

A variety of signal transduction pathways are disturbed in basal cell carcinoma (BCC), resulting in increased tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis and diminished apoptosis. The protein c-Jun is active in various tumors, including BCCs, but not in normal adult tissues. DNAzymes are single strands of DNA that bind and degrade messenger RNA. The DNAzyme Dz13 was designed to bind specifically to Jun mRNA; in preclinical models, Dz13 caused tumor cell apoptosis, inhibited angiogenesis, and stimulated adaptive immune responses. Researchers conducted a phase I trial in nine patients with BCC to determine the safety and tolerability of Dz13.

Three 3-patient groups received single intratumoral injections of 10, 30, or 100 µg of Dz13. Three adver…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)