A cancer gene therapy approach through translational control of a suicide gene

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Abstract
The translation initiation factor eIF4E is elevated in most solid tumors resulting in translation of mRNAs that are normally repressed by their structured 5′ untranslated region. We have introduced a translational repressor element in a vector (BK-UTK) designed to express herpes thymidine kinase (HTK). This and a control vector (BK-TK) were used to treat experimental tumors of a murine breast cancer line. Both vectors were equally effective in reducing subcutaneous tumors and lung metastases following ganciclovir administration. However, the BK-TK vector was found to be highly toxic, resulting in severe weight loss, degeneration of various organs, and early death of mice following systemic vector delivery, whereas the BK-UTK increased mean survival without toxicity.