Abstract: A combination of three well-known and FDA approved compounds has been discovered to significantly suppress the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in clinically relevant models of pancreatic cancer. Embodiments of the invention include compositions of matter comprising a combination of agents such as metformin, simvastatin, and digoxin as well as methods of treating cancers using such agents. Illustrative methods include combining a population of pancreatic cancer cells with amounts of metformin, simvastatin, and digoxin sufficient to inhibit expression of BIRC5 protein in the population of pancreatic cancer cells, thereby inhibiting the growth of the population of pancreatic cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors, transgenic cell and methods of making and using the same, wherein the nucleic acid construct includes a synthetic promoter designed from the endogenous promoter of BIRC5 and LAMC2. In illustrative working embodiments of the invention, an exogenous nucleic acid fragment encoding thymidine kinase is operably linked to the synthetic promoter which is then shown to regulate the expression of this polypeptide.

Abstract: A combination of three well-known and FDA approved compounds has been discovered to significantly suppress the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in clinically relevant models of pancreatic cancer. Embodiments of the invention include compositions of matter comprising a combination of agents such as metformin, simvastatin, and digoxin as well as methods of treating cancers using such agents. Illustrative methods include combining a population of pancreatic cancer cells with amounts of metformin, simvastatin, and digoxin sufficient to inhibit expression of BIRC5 protein in the population of pancreatic cancer cells, thereby inhibiting the growth of the population of pancreatic cancer cells.

Abstract: A combination of three well-known and FDA approved compounds has been discovered to significantly suppress the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in clinically relevant models of pancreatic cancer. Embodiments of the invention include compositions of matter comprising a combination of agents such as metformin, simvastatin, and digoxin as well as methods of treating cancers using such agents. Illustrative methods include combining a population of pancreatic cancer cells with amounts of metformin, simvastatin, and digoxin sufficient to inhibit expression of BIRC5 protein in the population of pancreatic cancer cells, thereby inhibiting the growth of the population of pancreatic cancer cells.

Abstract: A combination of three well-known and FDA approved compounds has been discovered to significantly suppress the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in clinically relevant models of pancreatic cancer. Embodiments of the invention include compositions of matter comprising a combination of agents such as metformin, simvastatin, and digoxin as well as methods of treating cancers using such agents. Illustrative methods include combining a population of pancreatic cancer cells with amounts of metformin, simvastatin, and digoxin sufficient to inhibit expression of BIRC5 protein in the population of pancreatic cancer cells, thereby inhibiting the growth of the population of pancreatic cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors, transgenic cell and methods of making and using the same, wherein the nucleic acid construct includes a synthetic promoter designed from the endogenous promoter of BIRC5 and LAMC2. In illustrative working embodiments of the invention, an exogenous nucleic acid fragment encoding thymidine kinase is operably linked to the synthetic promoter which is then shown to regulate the expression of this polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors, transgenic cell and methods of making and using the same, wherein the nucleic acid construct includes a synthetic promoter designed using selected PDX-1 activation sites such as those observed in the human insulin promoter (HIP). In illustrative working embodiments of the invention, an exogenous nucleic acid fragment encoding thymidine kinase is operably linked to the synthetic promoter which is then shown to regulate the expression of this polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors, transgenic cell and methods of making and using the same, wherein the nucleic acid construct includes a synthetic promoter designed using selected PDX-1 activation sites such as those observed in the human insulin promoter (HIP). In illustrative working embodiments of the invention, an exogenous nucleic acid fragment encoding thymidine kinase is operably linked to the synthetic promoter which is then shown to regulate the expression of this polypeptide.