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A Combined 3D Tissue Engineered In Vitro/In Silico Lung Tumor Model for Predicting Drug Effectiveness in Specific Mutational Backgrounds
Published on: April 6, 2016
Gene therapy in lung cancer
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Box 109, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Abstract:
The poor overall survival rates associated with non- small-cell lung cancer despite advances in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery mandate the search for novel approaches. Advances in gene transfer technology have allowed gene therapy strategies to develop that act in such a way as to stimulate the immune system, transfer "suicide" genes, inactivate oncogenes, replace tumor suppressor genes, and transfer pro-apoptotic genes. Clinical trials evaluating these possibilities have begun, and findings indicate that the transfer of tumor sup- pressor genes (wild-type p53) is feasible and has low overall toxicity. Subsequent clinical trials have begun to evaluate the clinical potential of these approaches in non-small-cell lung cancer.
Insights
Gene therapy offers new hope for non-small-cell lung cancer patients by transferring therapeutic genes. Early trials show replacing tumor suppressor genes like p53 is safe and feasible.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has poor survival rates despite current treatments.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for effective NSCLC treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore gene therapy as a novel approach for non-small-cell lung cancer.
- To evaluate the feasibility and safety of transferring therapeutic genes in NSCLC.
Main Methods:
- Gene transfer technologies are utilized to deliver therapeutic genes.
- Strategies include immune stimulation, suicide gene transfer, oncogene inactivation, tumor suppressor gene replacement, and pro-apoptotic gene transfer.
- Clinical trials are initiated to assess these gene therapy approaches.
Main Results:
- Transferring tumor suppressor genes, specifically wild-type p53, has been demonstrated as feasible.
- The approach of transferring wild-type p53 exhibits low overall toxicity in preliminary studies.
Conclusions:
- Gene therapy, particularly the transfer of tumor suppressor genes like p53, shows promise for non-small-cell lung cancer treatment.
- Further clinical trials are underway to determine the therapeutic potential of gene therapy in NSCLC.
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