[Gene therapy for lung cancer treatment]
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Published on: January 19, 2019
K Takayama1, Y Nakanishi, N Hara
1Research Institute of Diseases of the Chest, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University.
Abstract:
Gene therapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. The strategy is categorized to some fields based on the anti-cancer mechanism. p53 gene therapy and antisense therapy exert the cytotoxic effect on cancer cells by apoptosis induction. In suicide gene therapy, expressed suicide gene product kills the cancer cells in combination with prodrug which metabolite is cytotoxic agent. Oncolytic virus replicates in the tumor selectively and destroys the cancer cells. Immunogene therapy potentiates the antigenicity of cancer cells or activate the immune effector cells. In antiangiogenesis gene therapy, neovascularization is inhibited with antiangiogenic molecule gene such as angiostatin. On the other hand, bone marrow stem cells are protected from high dose anti-cancer agents by the transfer of multi-drug resistant gene.
Insights
Gene therapy offers diverse strategies for cancer treatment, including apoptosis induction, prodrug activation, oncolytic viruses, immune system enhancement, and anti-angiogenesis. It also protects healthy cells from chemotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Context:
- Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches.
- Gene therapy presents a novel and promising avenue for cancer treatment, targeting cancer cells through various mechanisms.
Purpose:
- To categorize and summarize the diverse strategies employed in gene therapy for cancer treatment.
- To elucidate the distinct anti-cancer mechanisms utilized by different gene therapy approaches.
Summary:
- Gene therapy strategies include p53 and antisense therapy for apoptosis induction, suicide gene therapy with prodrugs, oncolytic virus therapy, immunogene therapy to boost immune response, and anti-angiogenesis gene therapy.
- Additional applications involve protecting bone marrow stem cells from chemotherapy using multi-drug resistant genes.
Impact:
- Gene therapy offers a versatile platform with multiple mechanisms to combat cancer.
- These strategies hold potential for improved efficacy and reduced side effects in cancer treatment.
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