Gene therapy using HVJ-liposomes: the best of both worlds?

A new concept for the development of novel vectors is to overcome the limit ations of individual vectors by combining them. The HVJ-liposome was develo ped by combining liposomes with fusion proteins derived from the hemaggluti nating virus of Japan (HVJ), also known as Sendai virus. Gene transfer in v ivo using this delivery system can be repeated because it is much less immu nogenic and cytotoxic than other viral-vector systems. By coupling the Epst ein-Barr virus (EBV) replicon apparatus with HVJ-liposomes, transgene expre ssion can be sustained in vitro and in vivo, In animal models, this system has shown promise for several diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.