ADENOVIRAL RETROVIRAL VECTOR CHIMERAS - A NOVEL STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE HIGH-EFFICIENCY STABLE TRANSDUCTION IN-VIVO/

Gene therapy to correct defective genes requires efficient gene delive ry and long-term gene expression. Realization of both goals with avail able vector systems has so far not been achieved. As a novel approach to solve this problem, we have developed a chimeric viral vector syste m that exploits favorable aspects of both adenoviral and retroviral ve ctors. In this schema, adenoviral vectors induce target cells to funct ion as transient retroviral producer cells in vivo. The progeny retrov iral vector particles can then effectively achieve stable transduction of neighboring cells. In this system, the nonintegrative adenoviral v ector is rendered functionally integrative via the intermediate genera tion of an induced retroviral producer cell. Such chimeric vectors may now allow realization of the requisite goals for specific gene therap y applications.