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Genetic manipulation of drug sensitivity in haematopoietic cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 September 2004

Thomas Southgate
Affiliation:
Cancer Research UK Gene Therapy Group, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK.
Leslie J. Fairbairn
Affiliation:
Cancer Research UK Gene Therapy Group, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK.

Abstract

The haematopoietic system can be manipulated genetically to increase either its resistance to drugs or its sensitivity to certain agents. Gene transfer and expression of specific drug-resistance factors might protect haematopoietic function during antitumour chemotherapy, or allow enrichment of gene-modified cells in vivo. By contrast, gene transfer of a prodrug activator, to confer sensitivity to otherwise nontoxic prodrugs, might allow deletion of engrafted cells in the event of an adverse effect such as graft-versus-host disease or the induction of a neoplasm. In addition, expression of a prodrug activator in tumour-infiltrating haematopoietic cells could provide a means of specifically activating a cytotoxic agent within a tumour mass.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2004

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