[Gene therapy for malignant glioma].

Life sciences and computer technologies have begun to create new medical fields such as pharmacogenomics, nutrinogenomics, and genetic medicines (genetic diagnosis and gene therapy). In gene therapies for malignant brain tumors, suicide gene therapies using herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase gene and ganciclovir, and immuno-gene therapies using cytokine genes have been developed. Recently, we made a gene therapy protocol of our own, which used cationic multilamellar liposomes entrapped with interferon-beta (IFN-beta) gene as a vector and we started clinical trial of IFN-beta gene therapy for patients with malignant glioma in April 2000. Until now, five patients received the treatment and then they are under evaluation on safety and usefulness. Here the authors introduce present and prospect of gene therapy for malignant brain tumors.