Targeting of retroviral vectors for gene therapy

Retroviral vectors are one of the most promising vehicles for the delivery of therapeutic genes in human gene therapy protocols. Retroviral-mediated gene transfer currently being used in human clinical trials is based upon ex vivo transduction of target cells. The ability to target the delivery and expression of therapeutic genes in vivo using retroviral vectors is a prerequisite for widespread and routine use in the clinic and will be of great importance for the safe and successful treatment of certain genetic disorders as well as tumors and viral infections. A number of approaches have been taken to develop retroviral vectors that are able to target particular cell types both at the level of the transduction event and at the level of expression. Using various combinations of the restrictive features reviewed in this article, it should be possible to achieve definitive targeting of genes transduced by retroviral vectors.