VIRAL VECTOR FOR GENE THERAPY

摘要

The object is to provide a safe viral vector for use in a gene therapy, w hich can be introduced by a simple manipulation, and which can achieve a sat isfactory level of expression of a target gene in vivo. It is found that, wh en a cytokine capable of binding to heparin (e.g., a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)) or a chemokine (e.g., TARC, RANTES) is e xpressed in vivo by using a viral vector prepared based on a minus-stranded RNA virus, the cytokine or the chemokine exhibits an anti-tumor effect and a lso induces a superior protective effect compared to that achieved by using a conventional adenoviral vector. Thus, disclosed is a minus-stranded RNA vi ral vector carrying a cytokine gene or a chemokine gene. The viral vector is suitable for the treatment of cancer, particularly metastatic cancer.Also d isclosed is a composition comprising the viral vector. Further disclosed is a gene therapy using the viral vector or the composition.