title: From bench to bedside for gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy of cancer.
abstract: Gene therapy of cancer offers the possibility of a targeted treatment that destroys tumors and metastases, but not normal tissues. In gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT), or suicide gene therapy, the gene encoding an enzyme is delivered to tumor cells, followed by administration of a prodrug, which is converted locally to a cytotoxin by the enzyme. The producer cells as well as surrounding bystanders are subsequently killed. Promising results have meant that suicide gene therapy has reached multicenter phase III clinical trials. This review will discuss the development, efficiency, mode of action and pharmacokinetics of seven GDEPT systems in vitro and in vivo. We will review the latest data of those systems in clinical trials (herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/gancyclovir, bacterial cytosine deaminase/5-fluorocytosine, bacterial nitroreductase/CB1954 and cytochrome P450/cyclophosphamide), as well as the development of more recent and experimental systems which are not yet in clinical trials (P450 reductase/tirapazamine, carboxypeptidase/CMDA, horseradish peroxidase/indole-3-acetic acid or paracetamol and others).
authors.affiliation: Angiogenesis Research Group, Department of Pathology, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand. gabi.dachs@chmeds.ac.nz
authors.forename: Gabi U
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Dachs
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tupper
authors.forename: Gillian M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Tozer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D057487:Enzyme Therapy; D004798:Enzymes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D011355:Prodrugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004798:Enzymes; D011355:Prodrugs