Therapeutics: Enolase 1 α (ENO1)

Cell culture, patient sample and mouse studies suggest conjugates of an ENO1-binding peptide with liposomes containing chemotherapeutics could help treat colorectal cancer (CRC). Phage display-based screening of 12-mer peptides for binding to cell-surface proteins on a human CRC cell line identified a lead peptide that bound ENO1, and in mice with CRC xenografts, targeted phage to tumors but not normal tissues. In mice bearing orthotopic xenograft CRC tumors, a mixture of peptide-conjugated doxorubicin and vinorelbine from liposomal formulations decreased tumor growth and increased survival compared with a mixture of the unconjugated compounds. Next steps include testing additional chemotherapy payloads in the peptide-conjugated liposomes. (See "Peptide Guide to Colon cancer", page 14)

Johnson & Johnson markets Caelyx/Doxil doxorubicin, a liposomal formulation of doxorubicin, to treat Kaposi's sarcoma, multiple myeloma (MM) and ovarian cancer. ...