Abstract: Methods and compositions for potentiating the sonothrombolysis of a thrombus within a circulatory vessel of a patient are described. In particular, a method of performing sonothrombolysis in which a suspension that may include microbubbles, degradable starch nanoparticles, and a tissue permeabilizer is administered to the patient in tandem with the directing of ultrasound pulses at the thrombus is described.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for gene therapy using cytolethal distending toxins (CDTs). In a preferred embodiment, a gene therapy vector according to the invention includes a gene encoding a B subunit of a CDT and an antisense oligonucleotide that inhibits a DNA repair mechanism. An inducible promoter is operably linked to the gene and oligonucleotide. Preferably, the promoter is strictly inducible by heat shock.