Cancer chemotherapy using suicide genes

Abstract

Suicide gene therapy is a unique form of drug delivery system that allows for negative selection of malignant cells using a prodrug approach. Malignant cells are transduced with a gene encoding an enzyme that can metabolize an otherwise nontoxic prodrug into a toxic metabolite. The prototype of this system is the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene (HSV-tk). Suicide genes may be introduced into tumor cells either by viral vectors or nonviral methods. Current work is underway to fine tune both the delivery systems and optimize the efficacy of the production of the toxic metabolites. Suicide gene therapy is an exciting strategy currently in clinical trial in the treatment of a number of tumors.