Current status of gene therapy for cancer

Abstract

Purpose of review: In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in the development of cancer gene therapy into an applicable treatment modality for immunogene, suicide, gene correction and oncolytic therapies. New exciting developments for gene suppression or miRNA therapies are under way. The efforts are focused on more efficient and specific attack at known and novel targets, improvement of vector delivery and therapeutic efficacy. In this review, promising and new gene therapy approaches and clinical studies are briefly discussed to highlight important future directions of preclinical and clinical efforts.

Recent findings: Apart from progress for vector development and even more important, improvements for suicide, T-cell-based, oncolytic virus therapies were achieved. In addition, new emerging therapies are successfully developed, which are particularly promising for siRNA-based technologies applied to gene suppression therapy. Novel approaches, such as transcription factor ODN-based decoy, complement the spectrum of current cancer gene therapy.

Summary: In summary, cancer gene therapy has made remarkable progress in the improvement/refinement of existing strategies and delivery systems. The field is moving toward a therapeutic option, which will also be applicable for the treatment of disseminated metastases. Furthermore, numerous new approaches are about to be translated in clinical trials.