ADV-TK + ganciclovir

ADV-TK + ganciclovir is a combination gene therapy and small molecule antiviral regimen. It consists of an adenoviral vector encoding the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene (ADV-TK), administered to tumor tissue, followed by systemic administration of the antiviral drug ganciclovir. The HSV-tk enzyme phosphorylates ganciclovir into its active form within transduced cells, leading to DNA chain termination and cell death via apoptosis. This approach selectively targets dividing tumor cells that have taken up the HSV-tk gene, sparing normal tissue. The combination has been investigated primarily for high-grade glioma and hepatocellular carcinoma as a form of suicide gene therapy[1][2][3].

Other names

adenovirus-mediated herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase plus ganciclovirADV/HSV-tk/ganciclovirADV-TK/GCV gene therapy