MINIMALLY-INVASIVE IMAGING OF VIRAL GENE THERAPY AND PRESURGICAL APPLICATIONS THEREOF

摘要

Visualization of a tumor in a patient diagnosed with cancer to evaluate the size and location of the tumor is achieved by administering to a patient having a tumor a reproduction-competent virus that specifically infects tumor tissue to express from the virus a detectable marker; and observing expression of the marker by direct observation using a minimally invasive procedure such as laparoscopy. Based on the results of this method, the appropriateness of surgical intervention in the patient can also be determined. The same minimally invasive procedure can also be used to detect the extent and persistence of viral gene therapy by observing, in vivo the expression of the detectable marker, and in addition through the use of an oncolytic virus can provide therapeutic benefits.