Type I interferon response against viral and non-viral gene transfer in human tumor and primary cell lines.

Background: Type I interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) response is one of the major host defence mechanisms against viruses. Some recent reports suggest that IFNs may interfere with the efficacy of both non-viral and virus-vector-mediated therapeutic gene transfer.

Methods: The type I IFN response upon different gene transfer methods in human tumor and primary cell lines was studied by analysing IFN-beta mRNA expression, secretion of type I IFNs and accumulation of IFN-alpha/beta-induced MxA protein (myxovirus resistance protein A).

Cancer cells as targets for lentivirus-mediated gene transfer and gene therapy.

Lentiviruses have been used as gene transfer vectors for almost 10 years and their utility has been demonstrated in a variety of different applications. However, their value in cancer gene therapy has not been studied thoroughly. Here we show that VSV-G pseudotyped HIV-1-based lentiviruses are efficient vectors for human tumor cells in vitro and in vivo.

Report of a questionnaire survey of poststroke patients with aphasia and their families.

In a study made by The Stroke and Aphasia Federation Finland, a little less than a quarter of the aphasic patients and their families could not cope with the change in their life caused by stroke. Patients' and families' functionality decreased, and their social contacts either decreased or ended. These were the factors that prevented families from adapting to new situations.