Biosafety of Lentiviral Vectors: Risk Assessment and Containment

Although the strongest lentiviral carriers are derived from the most pathogenic human viruses like HIV, but there are special features in lentiviral vectors such as their ability in entering into cells with or without ability for cell division, long expression and low levels of the induction in host immune system, making these vectors as one of the most ideal carriers for gene transfer and gene therapy. Therefore, research and study on biosafety issues relevant to these Vectors, for laboratory personnel and patients should be carried out. On the other hand, safety assessment of final lentivirus carriers-based products is very important. Development of standard methods to assess safety of these vectors is inevitable since expansion of gene transfer techniques based on lentiviral viruses and suggestion of new methods for applying these vectors in gene therapy is increasing. This review, attempts to survey safety issues relevant to application of lentiviral vectors and their draw backs for genetic engineering.