Method of selectively destroying neoplastic cells
AssigneesThe General Hospital Corporation, Boston University, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc.
InventorsE. Antonio Chiocca, David J. Waxman, Ming X. Wei, Xandra O. Breakefield, Ling Chen
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Abstract
A method for selectively killing nervous system and peripheral neoplastic cells is provided. Viral vectors are used to selectively express a cytochrome P450 gene in neoplastic cells, whose gene product targets the cells for selective killing, by rendering the cells sensitive to a chemotherapeutic agent.
Claims27
A method for selectively killing central nervous system tumor cells in a mammal, said method comprising:
- (a) infecting said tumor cells of said mammal with a viral vector, said vector carrying a cytochrome P450 gene, wherein expression of said gene by said tumor cells enables the enzymatic conversion of a chemotherapeutic agent to its cytotoxic form within said tumor, whereby said tumor cells become selectively sensitized to said agent;
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- (b) contacting said tumor cells with said chemotherapeutic agent whereby said tumor cells are selectively killed.
A method for selectively killing central nervous system tumor cells in a mammal, said method comprising:
- (a) infecting said tumor cells of said mammal with a viral vector, said vector carrying a cytochrome P450 2B1 gene, wherein expression of said gene by said tumor cells enables the enzymatic conversion of cyclophosphamide to its cytotoxic form within said tumor, whereby said tumor cells become selectively sensitized to cyclophosphamide;
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- (b) contacting said tumor cells with said cyclophosphamide whereby said tumor cells are selectively killed.
A method for selectively killing peripheral tumor cells in a mammal, said method comprising:
- (a) infecting said tumor cells said mammal with a viral vector, said vector carrying a cytochrome P450 gene, wherein expression of said gene by said tumor cells enables the enzymatic conversion of a chemotherapeutic agent to its cytotoxic form within said tumor, whereby said tumor cells become selectively sensitized to said agent;
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- (b) contacting said tumor cells with said chemotherapeutic agent whereby said tumor cells are selectively killed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.