Technology evaluation: StealthVector (HIV) Enzo.
Efficient inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) replication with intracellularly expressed antiviral genes would be an important step toward clinical gene therapy for HIV-1 disease. Enzo Biochem is investigating and developing antisense genes as a potential gene therapy approach against a variety of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), cancer and hepatitis. The subsidiary of Enzo Biochem, Enzo Therapeutics, utilized its StealthVector technology and initiated phase I trials in July 1998 [291511,307156]. StealthVector, which is comprised of independent antisense sequences directed against two functional HIV-1 regions, is involved in regulation of gene expression soon after HIV infection, transactivation response (TAR) and tat/rev. StealthVector localizes primarily in the cell nucleus, where it could be most effective in inhibiting viral growth.
Institute of Molecular Virology, Gsf Munich, Ingolst Der Landstrasse 1, D-8042 Neuherberg, Germany. Walter.Guenzburg@vu-wien.ac.at
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D001709:Biotechnology; D016373:DNA, Antisense / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans
D016373:DNA, Antisense