<span>Background of the invention: 1. Field of the Invention: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for treating pathologies associated with hyperproliferative disorders. Among the hyperproliferative disorders which may be treated according to the invention are various tumors and cardiovascular diseases, such as vascular restenosis resulting from mechanical injury at an angioplasty site during treatment of an atheroscerotic lesion. Atherosclerosis is a complex, polygenic disease which is defined in histological terms by deposits (lipid or fibrolipid plaques) of lipids and of other blood derivatives in blood vessel walls, especially the large arteries (aorta, coronary arteries, carotid). These plaques, which are more or less calcified according to the degree of progression of the atherosclerotic process, may be coupled with lesions and are associated with the accumulation in the vessels of fatty deposits consisting essentially of cholesterol esters. These plaques arc accompanied by a thickening of the vessel wall, hypertrophy of the smooth muscle, appearance of foam cells and accumulation of fibrous tissue. The atheromatous plaque protrudes markedly from the wall, endowing it with a stenosing character responsible for vascular occlusions by atheroma, thrombosis or embolism, which occur in those patients who are most affected. These lesions can lead to very serious cardiovascular pathologies such as infarction, sudden death, cardiac insufficiency, and stroke. The technique of </span><span>angioplasty has been developed to permit a non-surgical intervention of the atherosclerotic plaque. However, the treatment of an atherosclerotic lesion by angioplasty results very frequently (up to 50% of cases in some studies) in a restenosis following mechanical injury of the arterial wall. A key event in this mechanism is the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from the media to the intima, as a result of the absence of protection and/or feedback control exercised by the endothelial cells of the intima. Treatment of restenosis by administration of chemical or proteinaceous substances capable of killing vascular smooth muscle cells has been proposed. For example, psolaren derivatives, incorporated by proliferative cells and then sensitizing these cells to the action of light, have been used (March et al., 1993, Circulation, 87:184-191). Similarly, some cytotoxins consisting of a fusion protein between a plant or bacterial toxin fragment and a growth factor have also been used (Pickering et al., J. Clin. Invest., 1993, 91:724-729; Biro et al., 1992, Circ, Res., 71:640-645; Casscells et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1992, 89:7159-7163). However, these treatments have many drawbacks, such as their low specificity, their indifferent efficacy; a considerable delay in acting and a potential toxicity. The present invention provides an effective, gene therapy approach for the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders, including restenosis.http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPATRE37933</span>

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