Gene therapy and endothelial cell targeting for cancer.
The endothelium represents a potentially critical target for gene therapy because of its anatomical location and its importance in the viability in both normal and malignant tissues. Protecting the endothelium of normal tissues, such as the lungs, from the toxic effects of current antineoplastic agents and the destruction of the tumor vasculature are reasonable goals. As a target, however, the endothelium continues to represent a significant challenge. While gene delivery to cultured endothelial cells is possible, improved delivery systems are required, as well as cell-specific promoters, before in vivo gene therapy to important endothelial populations can be accomplished.
Evans
R R
RR
Department of Pharmacology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261.
Calmels
T P
TP
Pitt
B R
BR
Brookens
M A
MA
Johnson
C S
CS
Modzelewski
R A
RA
Lazo
J S
JS
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000633:toxicity*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000098:blood supply*; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001761:Bleomycin