abstract |
The present invention relates to a fusion construct of a tissue inhibitor (TIMP) of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored metalloproteinase and its use for the treatment of cancer and in regenerative medicine. With this approach, GPI-anchored TIMP protein is incorporated into the surface membrane of tumor cells, making the tumor cells susceptible to FAS-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the fusion constructs of the present invention are effective agents useful for wound healing applications. In one embodiment, TIMP is linked to a mucin followed by GPI to enhance cell presentation. The use of GPI to link TIMPs makes the resulting fusion protein particularly useful as an anti-cancer agent for the treatment of cancer, particularly any residual cancer after incomplete surgical resection of the primary tumor in an individual . |