PROTECTION FROM IONIZING IRRADIATION OR CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC DRUG DAMAGE BY IN VIVO GENE THERAPY

摘要

A method of protecting a subject against an agent that elicits production of toxic free radicals, superoxide anions, or heavy metal cations in the subject is disclosed which entails in vivo administration to the subject of a polynucleotide encoding a protein that is transiently expressed in said subject. The transiently expressed protein is capable of neutralizing or eliminating the toxic free radicals, superoxide anions or heavy metal cations that are elicited by the agent. The method is particularly useful in preventing the development of esophagitis during treatment of lung cancer patients with ionizing radiation and/or chemotherapeutic drugs.