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Development of gene therapy in association with clinically used cytotoxic deoxynucleoside analogues

Cancer Gene Therapy volume 16, pages 541–550 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

The clinical use of cytotoxic deoxynucleoside analogues is often limited by resistance mechanisms due to enzymatic deficiency, or high toxicity in nontumor tissues. To improve the use of these drugs, gene therapy approaches have been proposed and studied, associating clinically used deoxynucleoside analogues such as araC and gemcitabine and suicide genes or myeloprotective genes. In this review, we provide an update of recent results in this area, with particular emphasis on human deoxycytidine kinase, the deoxyribonucleoside kinase from Drosophila melanogaster, purine nucleoside phosphorylase from Escherichia coli, and human cytidine deaminase. Data from literature clearly show the feasibility of these systems, and clinical trials are warranted to conclude on their use in the treatment of cancer patients.

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Acknowledgements

Work in our laboratory is partially funded by Olav Raagholt og Gerd Meidel Raagholts stiftelse for forskning and Astri og Birger Torsteds legat.

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  1. Université de Lyon, Lyon, France

    C Hébrard, C Dumontet & L P Jordheim

  2. INSERM U590, Lyon, France

    C Hébrard, C Dumontet & L P Jordheim

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Hébrard, C., Dumontet, C. & Jordheim, L. Development of gene therapy in association with clinically used cytotoxic deoxynucleoside analogues. Cancer Gene Ther 16, 541–550 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/cgt.2009.25

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