Evaluation of a Gene-Directed Enzyme-Product Therapy (GDEPT) in Human Pancreatic Tumor Cells and Their Use as In Vivo Models for Pancreatic Cancer

摘要

BackgroundGene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT) is a two-step treatment protocol for solid tumors that involves the transfer of a gene encoding a prodrug-activating enzyme followed by administration of the inactive prodrug that is subsequently activated by the enzyme to its tumor toxic form. However, the establishment of such novel treatment regimes to combat pancreatic cancer requires defined and robust animal model systems.