Viruses as Angels: UA Chosen as Nation's First Site to Study Viral Gene Delivery to Treat Brain Tumors

Viruses as Angels: UA Chosen as Nation's First Site to Study
Viral Gene Delivery to Treat Brain Tumors

June 11, 2001
Contact: Jo Gellerman or George Humphrey, (520) 626-7301

TUCSON, Ariz. -- The University of Arizona College of Medicine has been selected as the first site in the United States for an exciting new research study that will use viral gene delivery to treat patients diagnosed with difficult-to-treat glioblastoma multiform (GBM) brain tumors.

Beginning in January 2002, researchers will inject trillions of non-replicating virus cells containing the beta interferon gene directly into the tumors of patients, says Allan J. Hamilton, M.D., F.A.C.S., head of the Department of Surgery at the UA College of Medicine. The virus will deliver the gene to the tumor cells causing the cells to produce beta interferons. Interferons are naturally occurring proteins found in the human body that have been shown to be important anti-cancer agents because of their ability to stimulate the immune system.

Beta interferons act as "anti-angiogenic" agents, meaning they interfere with the tumor's ability to recruit blood vessels, explains Dr. Hamilton. They also prohibit the cancer cells from dividing and signal the body's own immune system to attack and kill the cancer cells.

Although containing trillions of cells, the amount of the virus injected into the tumor is smaller than a teardrop, says Dr. Hamilton. "You know the phrase 'How many angels can fit on the head of a pin?' Well, in this case, it's about 3 trillion."

Glioblastoma is the most common and most deadly malignant primary brain tumor. Each year 8,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with glioblastoma, according to the American Brain Tumor Association. GBM is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths among individuals ages 15 to 34.

Currently, patients with primary brain tumors undergo three treatments: surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. "One of the biggest roadblocks with current treatments is reaching and killing every last cancer cell," says Dr. Hamilton.

Sponsored by Biogen, the Phase I clinical trial is specifically designed to evaluate the safety of this new gene therapy. Only five medical centers will be selected to participate in the study. Dr. Hamilton, a world-renown neurosurgeon specializing in brain and spinal cord tumors and member of the Arizona Cancer Center, will lead the UA study.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: An illustration and animation demonstrating the gene delivery process are available on the Public Affairs Web site www.ahsc.arizona.edu/opa/news/jun01/hamilton.htm or by calling Jo Gellerman at (520) 626-7301.

Click here to obtain illustration

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