Gene therapy in prostate cancer: past, present and future
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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Virus Delivery of CRISPR Guides to the Murine Prostate for Gene Alteration
Published on: April 27, 2018
Toshiro Shirakawa1, Masato Fujisawa, Akinobu Gotoh
1Division of Infectious Disease Control, International Center for Medical Research and Treatment, Kobe University School of Medicine, Japan. toshiro@med.kobe-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
The absence of effective therapies for hormone refractory prostate cancer establishes the need to develop novel therapeutic modality, such as a gene therapy, that can be applied either separately or in conjunction with current treatment modalities for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. About 80 protocols for prostate cancer gene therapy have been practiced since 1994. The gene therapy modality is ideal for the treatment of prostate cancer. The disease progress can be precisely monitored by serum-PSA level, the local access is easy by ultra-sound guidance, and prostate as an accessory organ is highly immunogenic. Consequently, the number of prostate cancer gene therapy trials is increasing now. In this paper, we review the previous clinical trials of prostate cancer gene therapy in the chronologic order, and predict the future prospects.
Insights
Gene therapy offers a promising approach for hormone-refractory prostate cancer, with numerous clinical trials demonstrating its potential. This review examines past trials and future prospects for this advanced cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gene Therapy
- Prostate Cancer Research
Background:
- Hormone-refractory prostate cancer lacks effective treatments, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Gene therapy presents a viable option, alone or combined with existing treatments for advanced prostate cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review historical clinical trials of prostate cancer gene therapy.
- To predict future directions and potential of gene therapy for prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Chronological review of prostate cancer gene therapy clinical trials since 1994.
- Analysis of the suitability of gene therapy for prostate cancer treatment.
Main Results:
- Approximately 80 prostate cancer gene therapy protocols have been implemented.
- Prostate cancer is amenable to gene therapy due to easy monitoring (serum-PSA), ultrasound-guided local access, and organ immunogenicity.
Conclusions:
- Prostate cancer gene therapy is an increasingly researched area with growing clinical trial numbers.
- Gene therapy holds significant promise for treating advanced prostate cancer.
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