Expression of the sodium-iodide-symporter (NIS) in neuroendocrine tumors (NET) using the chromogranin A promoter in adenoviral vectors

Neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are neoplasm of the gastroenteropancreatic system (GEP), originating from the interface between the endocrine and the nervous system. NET-tumors are often malignant, and the medical treatment is not successful at present. Therefore new and more effective experimental therapies are emerging. Thyroid cancer can be efficiently treated by the application of radioactive Iod131, because of the sodium-iodide-symporter (NIS), which is expressed in thyroid cells only. Chromogranin A (CgA) is produced in 80–100% of NET cells and serves as a biochemical marker. This overexpression is caused by t…