Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies
07:48

An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies

Published on: December 1, 2013

Viral delivery for gene therapy against cell movement in cancer

Te-Lang Wu1, Dongming Zhou

  • 1The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews
|May 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Viral gene therapy offers a promising alternative to traditional cancer treatments. Novel oncolytic viral vectors are being developed to target tumor growth and prevent cancer progression by addressing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Gene Therapy
  • Virology

Background:

  • Cancer gene therapy using viral delivery shows promise against treatment resistance.
  • Viral vectors have evolved for improved safety and efficacy, moving from non-replicating to replication-competent.
  • Traditional oncolytic viruses target tumor elimination, while newer vectors address tumor progression by targeting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review advancements in viral gene therapy for cancer.
  • To highlight clinical and preclinical examples of oncolytic viral vector applications.
  • To propose methods for enhancing the safety and efficacy of oncolytic viral vectors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical trial data for cancer gene therapy.
  • Analysis of preclinical research on oncolytic viral vectors.
  • Synthesis of current understanding of viral vector biology and EMT targeting.

Main Results:

  • Viral vectors are increasingly safe and effective for cancer gene therapy.
  • Novel vectors targeting EMT show potential in preventing and reversing aggressive tumor progression.
  • Numerous examples exist in clinical trials and preclinical studies.

Conclusions:

  • Oncolytic viral vectors represent a significant advancement in cancer gene therapy.
  • Targeting EMT alongside tumor elimination offers a more comprehensive therapeutic strategy.
  • Further research into enhancing vector safety and efficacy is crucial for clinical success.

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...
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...
Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.