title: Gene therapy for head and neck cancer.
abstract: Head and neck cancer continues to present a major therapeutic challenge to physicians. Recent advances in molecular or gene therapy have allowed us to reassess these malignancies and consider novel strategies for their management. Since the first clinical trial 5 years ago, it has become apparent that gene transfer is no longer a speculative approach for treating malignancies. Gene therapy involves the introduction of genetic material (DNA) into host cells to induce the expression of the therapeutic product of that gene. This review summarizes the most recent data concerning the use of gene therapy as a treatment strategy for head and neck solid malignancies. A brief overview of the basic concepts of gene therapy as well as future potential applications is also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Breau
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Clayman
mesh_terms: D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D003673:Defective Viruses / Q000235:genetics; D016158:Genes, p53; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000235:genetics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53