Target Gene Discovery for Novel Therapeutic Agents in Cancer Treatment

Methods Mol Biol. 2016:1381:181-200. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3204-7_10.

Abstract

Target identification of novel therapeutic drugs is pivotal for the establishment of (1) new anticancer regiments, (2) to control side effects of the drugs, and (3) to identify appropriate combinations with established drugs. Here, we describe several in vitro assays applicable to characterize different characteristics of tumor cells. Furthermore, we present a protocol for establishing a reporter gene system for in vivo imaging, allowing for the study of drug effects in small animal models.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Cell cycle; FACS; Fluorescence; In vivo imaging; Tumor invasion.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Drug Discovery / methods*
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Genes, Reporter / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • NF-kappa B / analysis
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Optical Imaging / methods
  • Transfection / methods
  • Whole Body Imaging / methods

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • NF-kappa B