Hematoprotection by transfer of drug-resistance genes.
Myelosuppression represents a major side effect of cytotoxic anti-cancer agents. Infection due to granulocytopenia and the risk of bleeding due to thrombocytopenia compromise the potential of curative and palliative chemotherapy. Considering the many chemotherapeutic agents for which drug resistance genes have been described, and the recent improvements in vector and transduction technology, it seems conceivable that drug resistance gene transfer into a patient's autologous hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells will be able to reduce or abolish chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.
Department of Internal Medicine (Cancer Research), West German Cancer Center, University of Essen Medical School, Essen, Germany. michael.flasshove@uni-essen.de
Michael
M
Flasshove
Thomas
T
Moritz
Walter
W
Bardenheuer
Siegfried
S
Seeber
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple / Q000235:genetics; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents