Gene therapy that targets KSHV-linked tumors
Characterization of KSHV-Associated Disease Specific Gene Therapy
This project develops a gene therapy using a viral delivery system to kill tumor cells that carry KSHV, aiming to help people with Kaposi's sarcoma or KSHV-related lymphomas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11300238 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will build an AAV-based gene therapy that turns on a suicide gene only in tumor cells that express the KSHV LANA protein. The plan is to have the vector deliver HSV-thymidine kinase to LANA-positive cells and then use the antiviral drug ganciclovir to selectively kill those cells. Early work will test this approach in laboratory and animal models to confirm it targets KSHV-infected tumor cells while sparing normal tissue. If preclinical results look promising, the team may move toward steps needed for eventual human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with KSHV-associated cancers such as Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, or AIDS-related multicentric Castleman's disease whose tumors express LANA would be the likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without KSHV infection, whose tumors lack LANA expression, or who are unable to receive gene therapy or ganciclovir would not be expected to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a targeted way to eliminate KSHV-infected tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
How similar studies have performed: Suicide-gene strategies using HSV-TK plus ganciclovir have shown activity in preclinical and some early clinical cancer settings, but using an AAV vector targeted to KSHV LANA is a novel approach with limited prior clinical testing.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Izumiya, Yoshihiro — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Izumiya, Yoshihiro
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.