CD Laboratory for Gene Therapeutic Vector Development I

Gene therapy methods for the treatment of cancer are at the centre of research interest. In particular, transport systems for genes based on viruses are being researched and further developed.

Vectors are "transmitters" in the biological sense. Vectors that are capable of transferring genetic information are of particular interest - viruses are such vectors. Although all viruses are capable of transferring genes, these are usually only genes that are necessary for their own spread. Within the CD Laboratory, research is being carried out to transfer other genes, e.g. with a therapeutic position.

In particular, the ability of viruses to transport certain genes is to be utilised to combat cancer cells. To this end, vectors are being developed that fulfil certain requirements. These include the ability to specifically infect certain tumour cells, i.e. to only deliver the genetic "transport cargo" there and not to affect the surrounding healthy cells. In addition, the so-called ability to replicate - i.e. the ability of the virus to stimulate the host cell to produce new viruses - is one of the prerequisites being investigated. It is precisely the ability to replicate that enables efficient gene therapy using viral vectors. This is the only way to combat all tumour cells.

The principle on which the gene therapy cancer therapy being researched here is based also requires therapeutic genes to be transferred from the virus into the tumour cell. In fact, it is not the infection itself that damages the tumour cell, but a gene introduced by the viral vector. Research is focussing on genes that cause a normally harmless substance, which can be administered orally, to be converted into a cytotoxin. Thanks to the specific infection of tumour cells, this conversion and thus the fight against the cell only takes place there. At the same time, research is also being carried out into genes that lead to the production of tumour-specific antibodies.

The Murine Leukemia Virus (MLV), which is being further developed for use in untreatable brain tumours in particular, serves as the basis for the research. Its use as a viral vector for gene therapy cancer treatment will make a significant contribution to the fight against cancer.