TREATMENT OF RAT GLIOMAS WITH RECOMBINANT RETROVIRUS HARBORING HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS THYMIDINE KINASE SUICIDE GENE

The retrovirus vector containing Herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSVtk) gene was constructed. The vector was transfected into the packaging cell line PG13. It was shown that individual transfected cells differ in the production of recombinant retrovirus and in their susceptibility to be killed by ganciclovir. Recombinant retrovirus wi th a gibbon envelope was able to transduce the HSVtk gene into rat gli oma cells. In vivo studies confirmed the ability of intraperitoneal ga nciclovir administration to influence subcutaneous and intracerebral t umors developed after injection of C-6 rat glioma cells with subsequen t injection of HSVtk retrovirus producing cells.