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Summary
Novelty: A method is disclosed for eliminating cancer cells in vitro or in vivo by contacting them with transgenic cancer cells. These cells carry a foreign gene that renders them susceptible to a therapeutic agent allowing killing of both the transgenic cells and the original cancer cells via a suitable therapeutic agent. The approach can be used to increase the therapeutic index of cytotoxic drugs.
Biology: Seventeen multifactorial experiments are described. Mice with or without pre-existing murine fibrosarcomas, mammary tumours or human carcinomas were treated with mixtures of these cell lines transduced with an STK vector rendering them susceptible to gancyclovir treatment. Effects were assessed as changes in tumour diameter and survival time. Complete remissions are claimed and evidence is presented to implicate immune mechanisms, apoptosis and daughter to parent cell migration in tumour cell death.
Chemistry: Transduction by conventional methods to increase the effectiveness of various other agents such as acyclovir or AZT are described. Methods for the use of gancyclovir are exemplified.