Treatment of prostate cancer through translational research

Promotion of translational research in the Clinical Department of a medical school is regarded as being an important academic role. We herein report our current achievements utilizing translational research to create prostate cancer gene therapy. A phase I/II clinical study of prostate cancer gene therapy using adenovirus vector-mediated herpes simplex virus - thymidine kinase gene transduction and ganciclovir has been conducted as part of international joint research with the Baylor College of Medicine. This study was approved by the Japanese government as the first available prostate cancer gene therapy and the first so-called suicide gene therapy. Nine patients were enrolled and no adverse events were observed. A favorable clinical response as evaluated by PSA level was observed. Adenovirus vector-mediated IL-12 in situ gene therapy may be one of the best ways to obtain systemic anti-tumor effects at present. In situ Ad-IL12 gene therapy has been conducted since May, 2004 at the Baylor College of Medicine. A phase I/II clinical study protocol has already been approved by the IRB at Okayama University Hospital. In addition, novel therapeutic targets including REIC/DKK-3 for in situ gene therapy for prostate cancer have been investigated extensively at our institutions. For the intensive and rapid promotion of translational research, collaboration between industry, academia and the government is essential. For this purpose, we recently organized "Medical Techno-Okayama". The Urology Department also needs to be involved in such activity in order to ensure further development and the survival of the field of urology itself.