Gene therapy of brain tumor with endostatin

Malignant brain tumors are the most vascularized tumors. Despite multimodal treatment approaches, the prognosis remains dismal. Angiogenesis and vascular proliferation are particularly important in the growth and progression of malignant brain tumors and are used as indicators of the degree of malignancy. The continued growth of a brain tumor is dependent on its angiogenic potential. Antiangiogenesis therapy may offer novel strategies for brain tumor therapy. Treatment with Semliki Forest virus-mediated endostatin inhibited the angiogenesis associated with established brain tumors. Gene therapy with endostatin delivered via Semliki Forest virus may be a candidate for the development of a new treatment for brain tumors. (C) 2004 Prous Science. All rights reserved.