Gene Therapy and Prostate Cancer

Essay , 2011 , 6 Pages , Grade: 4.5

Biology - Genetics / Gene Technology

The subject of gene therapy first came up in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and is still the latest innovation in the field of medicine. Gene therapy works on the basis of manipulating the basis of human inheritance, the DNA. In a lot of medical conditions, the underlying problem is an abnormality in the gene which is the basic building block of inheritance and transfer of information from generation to generation. Gene therapy can be broadly defined as a branch of biomedical engineering which deals with the insertion, withdrawal or alteration of DNA (gene) within specific cells in order to treat a medical condition. Usually, the most common form of gene therapy involves the insertion of an artificially synthesized gene into a specific genetic locus to replace a transformed gene.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Gene Therapy and Prostate Cancer
• Introduction
• History of Gene Therapy
• Types of Gene Therapy
• Vectors in Gene Therapy
• Gene Therapy for Prostate Cancer
• p53 Gene
• Other Genes
• Suppression of Oncogenes
• Benefits of Gene Therapy
• Side Effects of Gene Therapy
• Combination of Gene Therapy and Radiotherapy
• Clinical Trials
• Future Directions

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This article explores the potential of gene therapy in treating prostate cancer. It reviews the historical development of gene therapy, examines its mechanisms, and discusses its specific applications in prostate cancer treatment. The article also explores the benefits, side effects, and ethical considerations associated with gene therapy, as well as potential combinations with other treatment modalities like radiotherapy.

• The history and evolution of gene therapy.
• The application of gene therapy in treating prostate cancer.
• The mechanisms and benefits of gene therapy.
• The potential for combining gene therapy with other treatments like radiotherapy.
• The ethical considerations and future directions of gene therapy research.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The introduction provides an overview of gene therapy, its principles, and its potential for treating diseases.
• The history of gene therapy traces its development from the 1960s to the present day, highlighting key milestones and challenges.
• The article discusses two main types of gene therapy: germline therapy and somatic gene therapy, outlining their differences and implications.
• The chapter on vectors in gene therapy explores various methods of delivering new genes to cells, focusing on the use of viruses and other carriers.
• The section on gene therapy for prostate cancer examines the role of specific genes like p53 and p16 in the development of the disease and the potential for gene therapy to target these genes.
• The benefits of gene therapy are discussed, highlighting the potential for improved cancer treatment and better outcomes for patients.
• The article acknowledges the potential side effects of gene therapy and discusses the risks and ethical considerations involved.
• The chapter on the combination of gene therapy and radiotherapy explores the synergistic effects of these two treatment modalities in controlling tumor growth and destruction.
• The article presents an overview of ongoing clinical trials investigating the use of gene therapy for prostate cancer.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key concepts and terms in this article include gene therapy, prostate cancer, p53 gene, p16 gene, oncogenes, vectors, viral vectors, radiotherapy, clinical trials, ethical considerations, and future directions.

• College: University of Michigan
• Grade: 4.5
• Author: Dr P. Ronald (Author)
• Publication Year: 2011
• Pages: 6
• Catalog Number: V368311
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668467620
• ISBN (Book): 9783668467637
• Language: English
• Tags: gene, therapy, prostate, cancer