Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
09:37
Defining Gene Functions in Tumorigenesis by Ex vivo Ablation of Floxed Alleles in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Cells
Published on: August 25, 2021
Is cancer gene therapy an empty suit?
Malcolm K Brenner1, Stephen Gottschalk2, Ann M Leen2
1Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
The Lancet. Oncology
|October 2, 2013
Summary
Gene therapy shows promise for cancer treatment but faces delivery challenges. Overcoming these obstacles, including scientific and commercial hurdles, may lead to effective cancer therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gene Therapy
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Gene therapy for cancer is promising but has faced significant delivery challenges.
- Successful gene therapy for monogenic disorders highlights the potential of this approach.
- Commercial and scientific obstacles have historically delayed cancer gene therapy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the obstacles hindering gene therapy delivery for cancer treatment.
- To describe how these scientific and commercial challenges are being overcome.
- To assess the potential of gene transfer as a future cancer therapeutic strategy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific and commercial obstacles in cancer gene therapy.
- Analysis of recent advancements and successes in gene transfer technologies.
- Evaluation of increased commercial involvement in the field.
Main Results:
- Gene therapy delivery for cancer has lagged behind its application in monogenic disorders.
- Progress is being made in overcoming scientific and commercial barriers.
- Increased commercial interest and recent successes indicate a positive trajectory.
Conclusions:
- Gene therapy's potential for cancer treatment is significant.
- Overcoming delivery challenges is crucial for clinical success.
- Gene transfer is poised to become a key method for developing novel cancer therapeutics.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
00:59Gene 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...
00:59Gene 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...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:18Cancer
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.