Laboratory Safety for Oncogene-Containing Retroviral Vectors

Abstract

The use of retroviral vectors in research laboratories has been steadily increasing, and with that, questions are arising more frequently regarding the biosafety of these reagents, particularly when the vector delivers a gene with oncogenic properties. Although modern retro-viral vector systems produce particles that are replica-tion-defective, there is still a possibility that upon accidental exposure, cells within a laboratory worker could be permanently modified and that this may increase the risk of malignant transformation. This brief review summarizes some published research that bears relevance to this risk and is intended to help investigators, IBC staff, and occupational health professionals establish policies to minimize the risk of working with these rea-gents. Questions regarding the actions that should be taken to prevent and respond to accidental exposure are presented and discussed.