Intra-peritoneal administration of genetic therapies: promises and pitfalls

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Gene Therapy

Background:

• Significant progress in understanding cancer's molecular basis over 30 years.
• Development of novel cancer therapies based on gene expression.
• Limitations of direct intratumoral administration for advanced cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review novel cancer therapeutics, including oncolytic viruses and gene-directed enzyme-prodrug strategies.
• To explore loco-regional delivery routes, such as intraperitoneal administration.
• To discuss the potential of telomerase gene selectivity for gene therapy and its clinical translation.

Main Methods:

• Review of replication-competent oncolytic viruses.
• Analysis of virus-mediated gene replacement strategies.
• Evaluation of gene-directed enzyme-prodrug (GDEP) therapies.
• Discussion of telomerase gene-targeted approaches.

Main Results:

• Loco-regional delivery routes, like intraperitoneal, offer alternatives to intratumoral administration.
• Oncolytic viruses, gene replacement, and GDEP strategies show therapeutic potential.
• Telomerase selectivity presents a promising avenue for cancer gene therapy.

Conclusions:

• Novel gene therapy strategies, including oncolytic viruses and GDEP, hold significant promise for advanced cancers.
• Loco-regional delivery enhances therapeutic efficacy and overcomes administration challenges.
• Further research is needed to address the challenges in translating these promising therapies from laboratory to clinic.