USE OF EBV-BASED VECTOR HVJ-LIPOSOME COMPLEX VECTOR FOR TARGETED GENE-THERAPY OF EBV-ASSOCIATED NEOPLASMS

Targeted suicide gene therapy for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated neoplasms was attempted by using EBV-based plasmid vectors coupled wit h hemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ)-liposome in vitro. Expression of EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA)1 is a common feature of the neoplasms as sociated with EBV. When various leukemic cell lines were transduced wi th a vector carrying a marker gene and EBV replication origin of plasm id (oriP), the marker gene product was exclusively detected in cells e xpressing EBNA1. Transduction of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 thymidin e kinase (Tk) gene resulted in a marked reduction in viable cell numbe r by ganciclovir (GCV) specifically in EBNA1 positive cells. The resul ts demonstrate that this virus-free system may be applicable to gene t herapy of EBV-associated neoplasms. (C) 1997 Academic Press.