Suicide gene therapy for prostate cancer--update of current development

Prostate cancer is the leading internal malignancy in men with an age over 50. Therapeutic options for patients with recurrence after hormonal therapy are limited. New therapeutic options are needed. In our previous studies, we demonstrated the efficacy and safety of 'suicide gene therapy' using herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase gene transduction and ganciclovir therapy in an orthotopic mouse model. These preclinical studies resulted in the initiation of clinical trials using this approach in USA and Japan. Safety and positive clinical response were shown in these clinical studies. In this review article, current status of prostate cancer 'suicide' gene therapy is updated and future direction of its development is also discussed.