Intravenous delivery of an endostatin gene complexed in cationic lipid inhibits systemic angiogenesis and tumor growth in murine models.

Inhibition of the neovascularization of tumors has proven efficacious in reducing tumor growth and metastases. Attaining antiangiogenesis through cationic lipid-based systemic gene therapy presents an attractive approach to the treatment of disseminated and primary cancers. Intravenous administration of an endostatin plasmid, complexed with a cationic lipid system, produced significant levels of endostatin in the lung and the circulation. The expressed endostatin blocked systemic angiogenesis and inhibited tumor growth in murine models. Cytokine induction by cationic lipid/DNA complex increased the anti-tumor activities of endostatin. These results demonstrate the possibility of using cationic lipid delivery of an antiangiogenic gene for cancer treatment.