Nucl Med Mol Imaging.  2006 Oct;40(5):237-242.

Tumor targeted gene therapy

• Kang JH

Abstract

Knowledge of molecular mechanisms governing malignant transformation brings new opportunities for therapeutic intervention against cancer using novel approaches. One of them is gene therapy based on the transfer of genetic material to an organism with the aim of correcting a disease. The application of gene therapy to the cancer treatment has led to the development of new experimental approaches such as suicidal gene therapy, inhibition of oncogenes and restoration of tumor-suppressor genes. Suicidal gene therapy is based on the expression in tumor cells of a gene encoding an enzyme that converts a prodrug into a toxic product. Representative suicidal genes are Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) and cytosine deaminase (CD). Especially, physicians and scientists of nuclear medicine field take an interest in suicidal gene therapy because they can monitor the location and magnitude, and duration of expression of HSV1-tk and CD by PET scanner.

Keyword

gene therapy; PET imaging; prodrug therapy; suicidal gene therapy; tumor targeting

MeSH Terms

Cytosine Deaminase
Genes, vif
Genetic Therapy*
Herpesvirus 1, Human
Nuclear Medicine
Oncogenes
Thymidine Kinase
Cytosine Deaminase
Thymidine Kinase