Technology evaluation: anticancer gene therapy, MediGene.
MediGene is developing recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors for the potential treatment of cancer, and in particular, melanoma and ovarian cancer [304021]. In June 2001, MediGene and its collaborator Aventis Pharma announced the start of a phase I/II trial for a vaccine against malignant melanoma [413513]. The therapy works by boosting the patient's immune response. Autologous or allogeneic tumor cells are transduced with recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors, which express immunomodulators, such as cytokines, and are then expanded in vitro. Following irradiation, these gene-modified cells are reintroduced to the host, leading to a specific antitumor response against the patient's own tumor cells [221820].
Hunt
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dshunt@easynet.co.uk
D000818:Animals; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000235:genetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
D019496:Cancer Vaccines