2. Cancer and Tumor Therapy

• Gene therapy


  Altering genes or cell properties for therapeutic purposes
• Gene therapy for cancer and tumor

  • Replace missing or non-functional genes
  • Inactivate genes that cause cancer or its spread
  • Create "suicide genes" that kill cancer cells
  • Use genes to protect healthy cells from damage

  
• How gene therapy is given

  1. Use vectors to transfer genes into recipient cells

  2. Can be done through ex vivo and placed back to the host by vivo
• Types of Gene Therapy for cancer

  • Gene editing
  • Gene Replacement
  • Gene Inhibition
  • Gene Addition
  • Car T cell therapy

  
• Gene Editing


  Method for making specific changes to the DNA of a cell or organism. Can be used to add, remove or alter DNA in the genome.

  
• Gene Replacement


  Recognizing a faulty gene, applying a piece of DNA in its correct form though a viral vector to override the identified faulty gene with the correct copy
• Gene Inhibition


  Turns off the defective gene, can destroy the cell or prevent it from exhibiting malignant behavior
• Gene Addition


  Inserting a replacement gene into afflicted cells to restore the function of a damaged or missing gene
• Immunogene Therapy


  Combining gene therapy and immunotherapy, including transferring genes encoding proinflammatory proteins, suppressing immunosuppressive gene expression, and transferring proinflammatory genes and/or tumor antigen genes

  
• Tumor Directed (Use of Therapeutic Genes)

  Introducing genes that produce enzymes to convert non-toxic prodrugs into toxic drugs specifically in cancer cells

  
• CAR T Cell Therapy


  Modifying immune cells called T cells in the lab to help them attack cancer cells
• Advantages of Gene Therapy

  • Specificity: Can target cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal cells
  • Durability: Some gene therapies can provide long-lasting protection against cancer recurrence
  • Versatility: Can be tailored to individual patients based on their genetic profile and cancer characteristics

  
• Disadvantages of Gene Therapy

  • Immune system response
  • Targeting wrong cells
  • Infection that may be caused by viral vectors
  • Possibility of causing errors in the genes
  • Expensive
  • Ethical issues
  • Experimental
• Gene therapy represents a promising frontier in cancer treatment, offering targeted and personalized therapeutic options