Abstract: The present invention relates to retroviral vectors carrying DNA sequences encoding SDI-1, function analogues of SDI-1, or fragments thereof, or antisense SDI-1 DNA sequences, and especially retroviral vectors carrying the SDI-1 or antisense SDI-1 sequences under the transcriptional control of target cell specific regulatory elements or promoters or X-ray inducible promoters. Further, the invention relates to the use of such retroviral vectors for the production of recombinant retroviral particles useful for the treatment of disorders or diseases responsive to the anti-proliferative activity of SDI-1, or the proliferative activity of antisense SDI-1 sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant vectors carrying sequences encoding naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides or derivatives thereof for the treatment of mammalian tumours and viral infections such as HIV infections and bacterial and fungal infections. In particular the present invention relates to retroviral vectors. Furthermore, the present invention relates to retroviral vectors which undergo promoter conversion (Procon vectors) carrying such sequences. Since these vectors also carry tumour or virus specific regulatory elements, the therapeutic antimicrobial peptide will be delivered and expressed only in relevant, affected cells and not in innocent bystander cells.