Gene therapy of cancer

Retroviral-mediated gene transfer has permitted the development of clinical protocols for the study and treatment of cancer. These protocols can be divided into gene-labeling and gene therapy proposals. Labeling studies include the tracking of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) following the administration of those cells, and the detection, at the time of relapse, of tumor cells from transplanted autologous bone marrow. Most gene therapy protocols are designed to induce an immune attack against the tumor by inserting genes into tumor cells themselves. Although uncertainty about the safety of the procedure still exists, gene therapy of cancer holds much promise as an effective treatment modality.