Suicide gene therapy in cancer: where do we stand now?

The Battle Against COVID-19: Where Do We Stand Now?

An Enterovirus-Like RNA Construct for Colon Cancer Suicide Gene Therapy

Background: In gene therapy, the use of RNA molecules as therapeutic agents has shown advantages over plasmid DNA, including higher levels of safety. However, transient nature of RNA has been a major obstacle in application of RNA in gene therapy. Methods: Here, we used the internal ribosomal entry site of encephalomyocarditis virus and the 3’ non-translated region of Poliovirus to design an en...

Adhesive small bowel obstruction: where do we stand now?

Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is one of the most frequently encountered disorders in Emergency Surgery Departments worldwide without negligible hospital admission rates and social costs (1,2). Notwithstanding significant improvements in techniques and materials, intra-abdominal adhesions following abdominal surgery still represent a major unsolved and debated issue harbouring challeng...

The Effect of Herpes Simplex Virus Virion Host Shutoff Gene- a New Suicide Gene- on Tumor Cells

Background: The herpes simplex virus (HSV) UL41 gene product, virion host shutoff (Vhs) protein, mediates the rapid degradation of both viral and cellular mRNA. This ability suggests that Vhs protein can be used as a suicide gene in cancer gene therapy applications. The recent reports have shown that the degradation of cellular mRNA during herpes simplex infection is selective. RNA containing A...

HSV-TK Expressing Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exert Inhibitory Effect on Cervical Cancer Model

A growing area of research is focused on cancer therapy, and new therapeutic approaches are welcomed. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based gene therapy is a promising strategy in oncology. Intrinsic tropism and migration to tumor microenvironment with off lights are attractive features of this type of cell carrier. In this way, suicide genes have also found a good platform for better performance a...