Applying the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir approach to ovarian cancer: An effective in vitro drug-sensitization system

Ayinan Al-Hendy, Nelly Auersperg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is a major clinical problem with no rewarding treatment protocol currently available. In other malignancies transfer of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene into tumor cells using a viral vector followed by administration of ganciclovir (GCV) provides a potentially effective strategy for treatment. In this work human ovarian epithelial cancer cell lines were infected with a recombinant adenoviral vector expressing the HSV-tk (AdRSV-tk) and were rendered sensitive to doses of GCV that were 100-200 times less than for untransfected cells. A strong bystander effect was noted with significant killing at a ratio of infected:uninfected cells of only 1:20 and maximal killing at 1:3. Normal human ovarian surface epithelial cells were also highly sensitive to the AdRSV-tk/GCV system. This study demonstrates the potential efficacy of the HSV-tk/GCV approach in ovarian cancer gene therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)268-275
Number of pages8
JournalGynecologic and Obstetric Investigation
Volume43
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1997
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adenovirus
  • Ganciclovir
  • Gene therapy
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Thymidine kinase

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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