Acute myeloid leukemia is associated with retroviral gene transfer to hematopoietic progenitor cells in a rhesus macaque

Blood. 2006 May 15;107(10):3865-7. doi: 10.1182/blood-2005-10-4108. Epub 2006 Jan 26.

Abstract

We report, for the first time, a replication-defective retroviral vector-associated neoplasia in a nonhuman primate. Five years after transplantation with CD34+ cells transduced with a retroviral vector expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and a drug-resistant variant of the dihydrofolate reductase gene (L22Y), a rhesus macaque developed a fatal myeloid sarcoma, a type of acute myeloid leukemia. Tumor cells contained 2 clonal vector insertions. One insertion was found in BCL2-A1, an antiapoptotic gene. This event suggests that currently available retroviral vectors may have long-term side effects, particularly in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / genetics*
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Retroviridae / genetics*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation*

Substances

  • Green Fluorescent Proteins