IMPROVING VECTORS

Speakers at the IBC's 6th Annual Conference held in Coronado, CA, USA May 6-7, 1996 outlined methods to improve the safety and efficiency of gene therapy vehicles using a wide range of vectors from adenoviruses (AV) and adeno-associated viruses (AAV) to herpes simplex viruses (HS V) and non-viral vectors. Adenovirus (AV) vectors are popular as they are capable of gene transfer to many different cell types. However, in cells other than epithelial cells , higher virus multiplicities are r equired for efficient infection. This can cause problems which can inc rease the induction of anti-viral immunity including neutralising anti body or lead to the induction of toxicity via early response or cellul ar stress genes.