title: Thymidine kinase gene therapy for human malignant glioma, using replication-deficient retroviruses or adenoviruses.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV tk) gene therapy combined with ganciclovir (GCV) medication is a potential new method for the treatment of malignant glioma. We have used both retrovirus-packaging cells (PA317/tk) and adenoviruses (Adv/tk) for gene therapy for malignant glioma. Retrovirus-packaging cells were used for eight tumors in seven patients and adenoviruses were used for seven tumors in seven patients. As a control group, seven tumors in seven patients were transduced with lacZ marker gene 4-5 days before tumor resection. Safety and efficacy of the gene therapy were studied with clinical evaluation, blood and urine samples, MRI follow-up, and survival of the patients. Four patients with adenovirus injections had a significant increase in anti-adenovirus antibodies and two of them had a short-term fever reaction. Frequency of epileptic seizures increased in two patients. No other adverse events possibly related to gene therapy were detected. In the retrovirus group, all treated gliomas showed progression by MRI at the 3-month time point, whereas three of the seven patients treated with Adv/tk remained stable (p < 0.05). Mean survival times for retrovirus, adenovirus, and control groups were 7.4, 15.0, and 8. 3 months, respectively. The difference in the survival times between the adenovirus and retrovirus groups was significant (p < 0.012). It is concluded that HSV tk gene therapy is safe and well tolerated. On the basis of these results further trials are justified, especially with adenovirus vectors.
authors.affiliation: A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Kuopio, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sandmair
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loimas
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puranen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Immonen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kossila
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puranen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hurskainen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tyynelä
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turunen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vanninen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lehtolainen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paljärvi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vapalahti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ylä-Herttuala
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005910:Glioma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007763:Lac Operon; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D013937:Thymidine Kinase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013937:Thymidine Kinase; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D015774:Ganciclovir