Lung Cancer Patient Is the First to Receive p53/Retrovirus Treatment

COLLEGEVILLE, Penn--A patient with advanced non-small-cell lungcancer has become the first to receive an injection of a p53/retrovirusgene therapy into existing tumor cells, Introgen Therapeutics,Inc. and RPR Gencell, a division of Rhône-Poulenc Rorer,have announced.

The phase I study is being conducted by Jack A. Roth, MD, at TheUniversity of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, where he is chairmanof the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery.

The retrovirus vector delivers normal p53 genes into cancer cellsin an attempt to restore normal cellular control. The patientreceived the dose into the tumor bed after surgical excision andwill be given four more doses.