title: Genetic prodrug activation therapy.
abstract: Genetic prodrug activation therapy shows promise as a therapeutic option for the treatment of cancer as well as a variety of other diseases. It involves the insertion of a gene encoding a drug-metabolizing enzyme into cells and the systemic administration of a prodrug. The prodrug is converted to a cytotoxic agent by the action of the expressed enzyme. To ensure that the enzyme is only expressed in the targeted subset of cells, the transcriptional apparatus of a gene that is unique to this subset is used to regulate the gene encoding the drug-metabolizing enzyme. As with all types of gene therapy, one of the major obstacles to successful clinical treatment is the development of safe and effective gene delivery systems.
authors.affiliation: ICRF Molecular Oncology Unit, Imperial College of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK. a.rigg@icrf.icnet.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rigg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sikora
mesh_terms: D001329:Autolysis / Q000139:chemically induced; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D018390:Gene Targeting; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011355:Prodrugs