Potential Therapeutic Modalities in Cancer Gene Therapy

• Published in: Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 3 - 18
• Main Authors: Prithvi Sinha, Sonia Kapoor, Sachin S. Kadam, Niroj K. Sahu, Amit K. Jaiswal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad 01-04-2017
• Subjects: Cancer; Gene therapy; Gene Transfer; Immunotherapy; Oncolytic Therapy
• ISSN: 2231-4261; 2231-4261

In spite of huge concerted efforts, the treatment of cancer, a disease frequently associated with genetic alterations caused due to hereditary or environmental factors, remains a challenge. The last few years have witnessed emergence of several innovative and effective modalities for the treatment of solid tumours and hematological malignancies. Gene therapy has shown enormous potential for cancer treatment, especially for metastatic cancers which unlike localized solid tumours, may not be amenable to surgery or other treatment options. Gene therapy aims to introduce a correct copy of the malfunctioning gene in the tumour environment by using viral or non-viral methods to impede or inhibit its growth. This review provides an overview of three main approaches for cancer gene therapy namely immunotherapy, oncolytic therapy and gene transfer therapy. Immunotherapy augments the host immune system in order to destroy cancer cells while oncolytic therapy uses genetically engineered viruses such as to effectively kill cancer cells. Clinical studies so far have shown that cells can be engineered to express gene products that can specifically target cancer cells and prevents their growth and metastasis. Though gene therapy for cancer is yet to see extensive clinical use, it is likely that in combination with other treatment modalities, it will help in controlling and possibly curing cancer in the near future.