RETROVIRUS-MEDIATED WILD-TYPE P53 GENE-TRANSFER TO TUMORS OF PATIENTSWITH LUNG-CANCER

A retroviral vector containing the wild-type p53 gene under control of a p-actin promoter was produced to mediate transfer of wild-type p53 into human non-small cell lung cancers by direct injection. Nine patie nts whose conventional treatments failed were entered into the study. No clinically significant vector-related toxic effects were noted up t o five months after treatment. In situ hybridization and DNA polymeras e chain reaction showed vector-p53 sequences in posttreatment biopsies . Apoptosis (programmed cell death) was more frequent in posttreatment biopsies than in pretreatment biopsies. Tumor regression was noted in three patients, and tumor growth stabilized in three other patients.