Retroviral vector‐producing mesenchymal stem cells for targeted suicide cancer gene therapy

Abstract

VP-MSCs accumulated at the site of tumors after intravascular injection in tumor-bearing mice, followed by in situ gene transfer to tumors without transduction of normal organs. When applied to the HSV-tk/ganciclovir suicide gene therapy, more efficient tumor growth suppression was observed using VP-MSCs compared to non-VP-MSCs. This VP-MSC-based system has great potential for improved cancer gene therapy.