Tocagen Inc. — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Molecular Imaging-Based Monitoring of Tumor-Selective

Description

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Molecular Imaging-Based Monitoring of Tumor-Selective Virus Replication Prodrug activator ('suicide') gene strategies using novel retroviral replicating vectors (RRV) have been developed for the treatment of high gradegliomas. The RRV transduced tumor cells produces more vector capable of initiating further infection events. This ability to spread has the potential to overcome one limitation previously observed with non-replicating vectors. These RRV agents are not directly cytolytic and spread specifically through the replicating cells of the tumor without direct tumor lysis. A second key limitation in the clini has been the inability to assay the extent of RVV spread in these poorly accessible, heterogeneous tumors. Wepropose to use Positron Emission Tomography (PET) as a non-invasive monitoring technique to track the spread of RRV and to use this information to appropriately time the oral administration of the prodrug to maximize tumor killing, or to identify RR