Lentiviruses: Vectors for Cancer Gene Therapy

Abstract

Lentivirus are the most efficient viral gene transfer vectors. Partitioned engineered backbones containing the essential proteins needed for reverse transcription and integration and separate elements for the transgene payload provide a 3 or 4 safety designed components that when transduced into transient producer cells yield high titre vectors. Applications of these vector systems have been designed for application for suicide gene therapy using thymidine kinase, immunotherapy and vaccine development, gene replacement and gene silencing including RNAi, anti-angiogenesis, an myelosuppression protection studies are discussed. Most of these efforts have moved from basic concept through preclinical testing and many are in early phase clinical trials. Lentiviral backbones remain a very promising approach to safe and stable gene transfer.