Application of donor lymphocytes expressing a suicide gene for early GVL induction and later control of GVH reactions after bone-marrow transplantation

Methods Mol Med. 2005:109:475-86. doi: 10.1385/1-59259-862-5:475.

Abstract

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is the treatment of choice for many malignant diseases. It is recognized that the curative potential of allo-SCT relates closely to the immune advantage conferred by allogeneic T-lymphocytes. In allo-SCT donor T-lymphocytes favor engraftment, provide early immune reconstitution, and fight the underlying malignancy--the so-called graft-vs-leukemia (GVL) effect. These benefits are counterbalanced by the occurrence of a life-threatening disease: graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). A suicide gene encodes a protein able to convert a nontoxic prodrug into a toxic product. Therefore, cells expressing the suicide gene become selectively sensitive to the prodrug. The transfer of a suicide gene into donor lymphocytes could allow, upon administration of the prodrug, the in vivo selective elimination of transduced lymphocytes, resulting in the switch-off of GVHD, thus allowing full exploitation of the curative potential of donor T-lymphocytes in the context of allo-SCT. In this chapter the rationale, the materials, and the methods of the suicide-gene strategy with human T-lymphocytes are described.

MeSH terms

  • Adoptive Transfer
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / immunology*
  • Genes, Transgenic, Suicide / genetics*
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Graft vs Host Disease / genetics
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology*
  • Graft vs Leukemia Effect / genetics
  • Graft vs Leukemia Effect / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Leukemia / genetics
  • Leukemia / immunology
  • Leukemia / therapy
  • Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Retroviridae / genetics
  • Tissue Donors
  • Transplantation, Homologous / immunology