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Gene therapy in cancer
Büşra Cesur-Ergün1,2, Devrim Demir-Dora1,2,3
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Abstract:
Gene therapy, recently frequently investigated, is an alternative treatment method that introduces therapeutic genes into a cancer cell or tissue to cause cell death or slow down the growth of the cancer. This treatment has various strategies such as therapeutic gene activation or silencing of unwanted or defective genes; therefore a wide variety of genes and viral or nonviral vectors are being used in studies. Gene therapy strategies in cancer can be classified as inhibition of oncogene activation, activation of tumor suppressor gene, immunotherapy, suicide gene therapy and antiangiogenic gene therapy. In this review, we explain gene therapy, gene therapy strategies in cancer, approved gene medicines for cancer treatment and future of gene therapy in cancer. Today gene therapy has not yet reached the level of replacing conventional therapies. However, with a better understanding of the mechanism of cancer to determine the right treatment and target, in the future gene therapy, used as monotherapy or in combination with another existing treatment options, is likely to be used as a new medical procedure that will make cancer a controllable disease.
Insights
Gene therapy introduces therapeutic genes to combat cancer by targeting cell death or growth. While not yet replacing conventional treatments, it holds future promise for controlling cancer as a standalone or combination therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Gene therapy is an emerging cancer treatment involving the introduction of therapeutic genes into cancer cells.
- Various strategies exist, including gene activation/silencing, utilizing diverse genes and vectors.
- Current gene therapy approaches for cancer encompass oncogene inhibition, tumor suppressor gene activation, immunotherapy, suicide gene therapy, and antiangiogenic gene therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the fundamental principles of gene therapy.
- To categorize and explain different gene therapy strategies employed in cancer treatment.
- To discuss currently approved gene medicines for cancer and the future outlook of gene therapy in oncology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of gene therapy strategies in cancer.
- Analysis of approved gene medicines for cancer treatment.
- Exploration of future directions and potential of gene therapy in oncology.
Main Results:
- Gene therapy offers multiple strategies to target cancer, including activating tumor suppressors and inhibiting oncogenes.
- Several gene therapies are approved for cancer treatment, indicating clinical progress.
- Gene therapy is not yet a replacement for conventional therapies but shows significant potential.
Conclusions:
- Gene therapy is a developing field with diverse strategies for cancer treatment.
- While not a current standalone solution, gene therapy is poised to become a crucial component of future cancer care, potentially making cancer a manageable disease.
- Further understanding of cancer mechanisms will refine gene therapy's application as monotherapy or in combination treatments.
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