Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treatment of conditions and diseases associated with excessive or inappropriate noncancerous tissue growth. In certain embodiments of the invention the compositions and methods are used for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In certain embodiments of the invention the composition comprises a tissue-selective delivery vehicle. In certain embodiments of the invention the compositions comprise an expression vector that encodes a cytotoxic polypeptide, wherein expression of the cytotoxic polypeptide is under control of a prostate-specific regulatory element. In certain embodiments of the invention the compositions comprise an expression vector in which expression of a recombinase is under control of a prostate-specific regulatory element, and a recombination event mediated by the recombinase is required for expression of the cytotoxic polypeptide.