Selective killing of pancreatic cancer cells in culture by retrovirus transfer of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene

TK-gene system (retrovirus transfer of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene) is one of the much more mature plans. We have succeeded in transmitting herpes TK gene into human pancreatic cancer cells, named SW1990 by retrovirus.We also observed the by-stander effect after coincubation of SW1990 and SWtk. Conclusion: It is very efficient for pancreatic cancer cells to be transferred TK gene with retrovirus and these tumor cells show very high sensitivity for GCV.