ADENOVIRUS-MEDIATED HERPES SIMPLEX THYMIDINE KINASE GENE THERAPY FOR BRAIN TUMORS

Adenovirus-mediated HSVtk gene therapy has been shown to be eefective for the treatment of malignant glioma when the gene transfer efficiency is high. Adenoviruses are currently the most promising vectors for gene therapy of malignant glioma especially because of their high efficiency of gene transfer. Experiences from preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies are promising and in the near future the first reports of clinical phase I and II studies should be available. These results will significantly advance our understanding about the efficacy of adenovirus-mediated gene transfers in the treament of malignant glioma in man.