Gene therapy for ovarian cancer

G Coukos1, S C Rubin

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. GCoukos@mail.obgyn.upenn.edu

Insights

Gene therapy advances utilize engineered vectors for gene transfer. Combining gene therapy with other treatments may offer advantages, particularly for patients with minimal residual disease.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular virology
  • Biotechnology
  • Gene therapy

Background:

  • Engineered vectors enable efficient gene transfer to target cells.
  • Gene therapy strategies include cytotoxic and corrective approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review gene therapy strategies and their potential applications.
  • To discuss the suitability of gene therapy for specific patient populations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of molecular virology and biotechnology advancements.
  • Analysis of cytotoxic and corrective gene therapy mechanisms.
  • Evaluation of clinical evidence for gene therapy efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Gene therapy involves transferring genes for cytotoxic drug conversion or repairing molecular alterations.
  • Clinical evidence indicates gene therapy is most effective for minimal residual disease.
  • Multimodality treatments combining gene therapy with conventional strategies show potential.

Conclusions:

  • Gene therapy offers promising avenues for cancer treatment.
  • Combination therapies are likely more advantageous than single-modality treatments.
  • Further clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings.

Related Concept Videos

Gene Therapy00:59

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy is a technique where a gene is inserted into a person’s cells to prevent or treat a serious disease. The added gene may be a healthy version of the gene that is mutated in the patient, or it could be a different gene that inactivates or compensates for the patient’s disease-causing gene. For example, in patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) due to a mutation in the gene for the enzyme adenosine deaminase, a functioning version of the gene can be inserted. The...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...