GENETIC PRODRUG ACTIVATION THERAPY

Genetic prodrug activation therapy shows promise as a therapeutic opti on for the treatment of cancer as well as a variety of other diseases. it involves the insertion of a gene encoding a drug-metabolizing enzy me into cells and the systemic administration of a prodrug. The prodru g is converted to a cytotoxic agent by the action of the expressed enz yme. To ensure that the enzyme is only expressed in the targeted subse t of cells, the transcriptional apparatus of a gene that is unique to this subset is used to regulate the gene encoding the drug-metabolizin g enzyme. As with all types of gene therapy, one of the major obstacle s to successful clinical treatment is the development of safe and effe ctive gene delivery systems.