Recent advances in retrovirus vector-mediated gene therapy: teaching an old vector new tricks

Oncoretrovirus-based vectors have been shown to be a safe and reliable vector system that can achieve permanent integration of delivered transgenes. Successful application of these vectors for gene therapy has proven difficult due to their relatively low transduction efficiency; however, cumulative improvements in methodology have recently yielded promising clinical results. Furthermore, significant improvements in basic retrovirus vector technology now promise to revitalize the field. This review focuses on these important recent developments in the field of retrovirus-mediated gene transfer technology and its application to human diseases.