Activation of Egr-1 promoter by DNA damaging chemotherapeutics

The present invention relates to methods of inducing expression of a polynucleotide encoding a therapeutic polypeptide, e.g., TNF-α, in a cell comprising contacting the cell with a construct comprising an Egr-1 promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide, and at least one chemotherapeutic agent, wherein the chemotherapeutic agent induces expression of the polypeptide. The invention also relates to methods of inhibiting a neoplastic cell, comprising contacting the cell with a construct comprising an Egr-1 promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding TNF-α and a chemotherapeutic agent. The present invention further relates to methods of inhibiting or reducing the growth of a tumor in a subject, comprising co-administering to the subject a construct comprising an Egr-1 promoter operably linked to a polynucleotide encoding TNF-α and a chemotherapeutic agent, wherein the co-administration inhibits or reduces the ability of the tumor to grow.