Cancer Gene Therapy

A complete introduction and guide to the latest developments in cancer gene therapy-from bench to bedside. The authors comprehensively review the anticancer genes and gene delivery methods currently available for cancer gene therapy, including the transfer of genetic material into the cancer cells, stimulation of the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells, and the targeting of the nonmalignant stromal cells that support their growth. They also thoroughly examine the advantages and limitations of the different therapies and detail strategies to overcome obstacles to their clinical implementation. Topics of special interest include vector-targeting techniques, the lessons learned to date from clinical trials of cancer gene therapy, and the regulatory guidelines for future trials. Noninvasive techniques to monitor the extent of gene transfer and disease regression during the course of treatment are also discussed.

Cancer Gene Therapy.- The Genetic Basis of Cancer.- Tumor Suppressor Gene Replacement for Cancer.- Antisense Technology.- Cancer Therapeutic Applications of Ribozymes and RNAi.- Fusogeneic Membrane Glycoproteins for Cancer Gene Therapy.- Suicide Gene Therapy.- Molecular Chemotherapy Approaches.- Genetic Immunotherapy Approaches.- Immunotherapy of Cancer by Dendritic Cell-Targeted Gene Transfer.- Dendritic Cells.- Polynucleotide Immunization for Cancer Therapy.- Development of Oncolytic Replication-Competent Herpes Simplex Virus Vectors.- Development of Oncolytic Adenoviruses.- Conditionally Replicating Adenoviruses for Cancer Treatment.- Reovirus as an Oncolytic Agent.- Antiangiogenic Gene Therapy of Cancer.- Proapoptotic Strategy in Cancer Gene Therapy.- Antimetastasis.- Antimetastatic Gene Therapy.- Drug Resistance Gene Transfer as an Antitumor Strategy.- Chemosensitization.- Radiosensitization by Gene Therapy.- Nonviral Vector Systems for Cancer Gene Therapy.- Viral Vectors for Cancer Gene Therapy.- Bacterial Systems for Tumor-Specific Gene Therapy.- Molecular Imaging of Cancer Gene Therapy.- Cancer-Related Gene Therapy Clinical Trials.- Regulatory Aspects in the Development of Gene Therapies.