Development of a Gene Therapy Method for Cervical Cancer Using Attenuated Coxsackievirus B3 as a Vector System

We previously reported the development of an attenuated coxsackievirus B3, known as YYFF, which functioned as a viral vector system for foreign gene expression. In this study, we demonstrated the potential use of YYFF as a gene therapy vector. Recombinant YYFF was constructed to express the human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) E7 gene, referred to as YYFF-HPV16-E7. Growth of YYFF-HPV16-E7 resembled the wild type, YYFF, and it expressed HPV16-E7 in cell culture. When YYFF-HPV16-E7 was directly injected into TC-1-transplanted C57/BL6 mice, there was no reduction in tumor size, because of the non-growth of YYFF in C57/BL6 mice. However, when YYFF-HPV16-E7-induced immune cells/serum that originated from BALB/c mice was passively delivered into BALB/c background TC-1-transplanted nude mice, it reduced the size of cervical tumors in the nude mice. This study indicates the potential use of YYFF-HPV16-E7 as a gene therapy agent for treating HPV-induced cervical cancer.

V-Y Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Flap for Reconstruction of Radiation-induced Skin Injuries on the Back

PURPOSE: Cardiac radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures using fluoroscopy were performed for the treatment of supraventricular and selected ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Fluoroscopy is used to localize the position of the intracardiac catheter. Fluoroscopically- guided procedures often involve high radiation doses to patient's skin, but the incidence of serious radiation injuries in these patients is rare. We reported two cases of severe postradiation skin injury on the back treated with the V-Y latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. METHODS: These two patients underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation under the diagnosis of Woff Parkinson White syndrome(WPW syndrome). They had radiation- induced skin injuries on the subscapular area and these lesions represented chronic ulceration, surrounding induration, hardness, and dyspigmentation. We treated these lesions with complete excision and coverage with V-Y latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. RESULTS: These two patients had no recurrence and no special complications during 20 months and 12 months follow-up periods and were satisfied aesthetically and functionally. CONCLUSION: V-Y latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap obtained better results functionally and aesthetically compared with conservative management and skin graft in severe radiation-induced skin injuries after cardiac radiofrequency catheter ablation procedure.