Replication-competent herpes simplex virus mediates destruction of neoplastic cells
AssigneeGeorgetown University
InventorsRobert L. Martuza, Samuel D. Rabkin, Toshihiro Mineta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for killing malignant brain tumor cells in vivo entails providing replication competent herpes simplex virus vectors to tumor cells. A replication competent herpes simplex virus vector, with defective expression of the .sub..gamma. 34.5 gene and the ribonucleotide reductase gene, specifically destroys tumor cells, is hypersensitive to anti-viral agents, and yet is not neurovirulent.
Claims8
A replication-competent herpes simplex virus that is incapable of expressing both (i) a functional .sub..gamma. 34.5 gene product and (ii) a ribonucleotide reductase.
A herpes simplex virus vector, wherein the genome of said vital vector contains alterations in both (i) the .sub..gamma. 34.5 gene and
- (ii) the ribonucleotide reductase gene, wherein said alterations prevent the expression of said genes or render the expressed products of said genes nonfunctional when a cell is transfected with said vector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.