Viral and non-viral vectors for cancer gene therapy

Background: Our research has focused on developing improved delivery vector s for treating cancer by gene therapy using the tumor suppressor p53 gene. Materials and Methods: Recombinant viral and non-viral vectors were used to deliver the p53 gene into non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells either in culture or as a subcutaneous tumor. Transduction of tumor cells was meas ured by beta-gal expression while tumor cell proliferation was used to meas ure the effect of p53. Results: High level transduction was obtained in vit ro and in vivo with a recombinant adenoviral vector, resulting in tumor cel l growth inhibition in both models. A targeted, non-viral gene delivery vec tor based on the use of an EGF/DNA polyplex also resulted in efficient (as high as 66% transduction) and specific gene delivery in vitro when replicat ion defective adenovirus was used as an endosome release agent. Conclusion: These vectors now provide improved methods to deliver therapeutic genes fo r cancer treatment by gene therapy.