Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for increasing the expression of foreign genes, in particular, using a promoter, an enhancer, and the like, and an expression cassette containing a promoter, an enhancer, and the like, by which gene expression can be increased. The purpose is achieved with the use of the gene expression cassette comprising a DNA construct containing a gene to be expressed and a poly A addition sequence that are located downstream of a 1st promoter, and further comprising an enhancer or a 2nd promoter ligated downstream of the DNA construct.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for treating malignant mesothelioma using REIC/Dkk-3 and a therapeutic agent for malignant mesothelioma comprising REIC/Dkk-3 are provided. A mesothelioma therapeutic agent is provided, comprising the following REIC/Dkk-3 DNA or a vector comprising the DNA as an active ingredient: (a) a DNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1; or (b) a DNA hybridizing under stringent conditions to a DNA consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and encoding a protein having apoptosis-inducing activity and IL-7 production-accelerating activity in cells.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an apoptosis-inducing agent for prostate cancer comprising REIC/Dkk-3 DNA or an REIC/Dkk-3 protein, and a therapeutic agent for prostate cancer and an agent for inhibiting prostate cancer metastasis that comprise such apoptosis-inducing agent are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides an inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells comprising a fragment of the REIC/Dkk-3 gene and a cancer therapeutic agent comprising the same. This invention also provides a polynucleotide fragment encoding the REIC/Dkk-3 protein (a) or (b), which encodes a polypeptide having apoptosis activity: (a) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of amino acid 1 to any of amino acids 39 to 78 of the amino acid sequence of the REIC/Dkk-3 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2; or (b) a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of amino acid 1 to any of amino acids 39 to 78 of the amino acid sequence of the REIC/Dkk-3 protein as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 by substitution, deletion, or addition of 1 or several amino acids and having apoptosis activity.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an apoptosis-inducing agent for prostate cancer comprising REIC/Dkk-3 DNA or an REIC/Dkk-3 protein, and a therapeutic agent for prostate cancer and an agent for inhibiting prostate cancer metastasis that comprise such apoptosis-inducing agent are provided.