DEVELOPMENT OF HVJ-LIPOSOMES AND CANCER GENE THERAPY

We have developed HVJ (hemagglutinating virus of Japan; Sendai virus)-liposomes that are efficient in vitro and in vivo gene delivery vehicles using the fusion-mediated gene delivery. The HVJ-liposome was highly efficient for the introduction of oligonucleotides into cells in vivo as well as the transfer of genes less than 100 kbp without damaging cells. By coupling the Epstein-Barr (EB) virus replicon apparatus with HJV-liposomes, transgene expression was sustained in vitro and in vivo. Most animal organs were found to be suitable targets for the fusigenic-viral liposomes, and numerous gene therapy strategies using this system were successful in animals. Here we demonstrate cancer gene therapy using HVJ-liposomes.