Gene therapy for cancer (present status).
The present status of cancer gene therapy is reviewed here in short. Two of the main gene therapy strategies for the treatment of cancer are discussed. The first main strategy is direct gene therapy which involves insertion of a functioning tumor suppressor gene or suppression of expression of a known oncogene. The second main strategy is indirect gene therapy which involves the insertion of a gene that modifies the cell to be more immunogenic for the host. The main clinical gene therapy trials are reviewed in their present state, including the replacement of defective tumor suppressor genes, the insertion of suicide or sensitivity genes, the insertion of prodrug-activating genes, and the use of virally directed enzyme prodrug therapies. Other topics discussed are the protection of stem cells from toxic effects of chemotherapy and new directions for gene therapy of neoplastic disease.
Altaner
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Cancer Research Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*