Skip to main content

Cancer gene therapy: 'Delivery, delivery, delivery'

Greco, Olga, Scott, Simon D., Marples, Brian, Dachs, G.U. (2002) Cancer gene therapy: 'Delivery, delivery, delivery'. Frontiers in Bioscience, 7 . D1516-D1524. ISSN 1093-9946. (doi:10.2741/A731) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:9525)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.2741/A731

Abstract

Gene therapy for cancer treatment represents a promising approach that has shown selectivity and efficacy in experimental systems as well as clinical trials. Some major problems remain to be solved before this strategy becomes routinely adopted in the clinic, one of the main challenges being the improvement of gene delivery. Namely, the development of DNA vectors characterized by maximum efficiency and minimal toxicity will define the success of gene therapy and its chances of being accepted by public and clinicians. A number of issues need to be considered. The "magic" vector should be targeted, protected from degradation and immune attack, and safe for the recipient and the environment. Moreover, it should express the therapeutic gene for as long as required, in an appropriately regulated fashion. Vehicles such as retroviruses, adenoviruses and liposomes have been adopted in clinical studies, with varying results. New therapeutic modalities are also being explored in order to overcome the limitation of poor gene transfer and patient toxicity, including bacteria, adeno-associated and herpes simplex viruses, lentiviruses, cationic polymer-DNA complexes and electroporation. Some of the delivery systems tested in preclinical and clinical models are reviewed in this article, with particular attention to the targeting of the tumor environment.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.2741/A731
Subjects: Q Science
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Medway School of Pharmacy
Depositing User: Simon Scott
Date Deposited: 21 Oct 2008 16:00 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:48 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/9525 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.