title: Biosafety considerations using gamma-retroviral vectors in gene therapy.
abstract: Gene therapy has become a feasible and efficient strategy for the treatment of human genetic diseases. The main principle of a gene therapeutic regimen relies on the delivery of a corrected gene of interest in human cells. In about one fifth of the clinical trials, gamma-retroviral vectors are used as gene-transfer vehicle. However, previous successful gene therapy trials revealed gamma-retroviral vector-mediated severe adverse events: Upregulation of proto-oncogenes led to malignant transformation of the affected cells and tumor progression. These severe adverse events enhanced the development of new 'safer' gamma-retroviral vectors and comprehensive biosafety studies. This review highlights all possible safety and biosafety risks of gamma-retroviral vectors.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deichmann
authors.affiliation: NCT/DKFZ Heidelberg, Department of Translational Oncology, G100 Im Neuenheimer Feld 581, D- 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. manfred.schmidt@nct-heidelberg.de.
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000235:genetics; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances