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.
Table of Contents
1. Gene therapy and prostate cancer
Objectives & Core Topics
The primary objective of this text is to explore the clinical application of gene therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer, investigating how genetic modification can serve as a potent alternative or complementary strategy to conventional oncological treatments. The research addresses the challenges of vector delivery, the role of tumour suppressor genes like p53, and the potential for synergy between gene therapy and radiotherapy.
- Fundamental principles and history of gene therapy
- Mechanisms of viral and non-viral vector-based gene delivery
- The molecular role of the p53 gene in prostate cancer progression
- Clinical efficacy and potential side effects of gene-based treatments
- Synergistic approaches combining gene therapy with radiotherapy
Excerpt from the book
Gene therapy and prostate cancer
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 (Saraswat et al. 2009). 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 (Mammen et al. 2007). 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.
The first gene therapy was conducted on a four-year old girl, Ashanti DeSilva, on the fourteenth of September, 1990. The procedure was conducted by researchers at the United States National Institutes of Health on the patient who had a disorder of the immune system, specifically Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID). The procedure was successful as the girl was able to recover but the effects showed only for a short period of time. Since then, there have been several modifications to the concept. Newer versions of the procedure attempt to directly repair errors in the products of the damaged or altered genes. Repairs are made on the messenger RNA which is produced from the altered gene (Baoutina et al. 2007).
Summary of Chapters
Gene therapy and prostate cancer: This chapter provides an overview of the development of gene therapy, details the molecular mechanisms used to target prostate cancer cells, and evaluates the efficacy of combining genetic interventions with radiotherapy.
Keywords
Gene therapy, Prostate cancer, DNA, Vectors, p53 gene, Oncology, Radiotherapy, Tumour suppressor, Genetic mutation, Clinical trials, Biomedical engineering, Apoptosis, Viral vectors, Transfection, Cancer treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The publication focuses on the application of gene therapy as a medical treatment modality, specifically addressing its potential for managing prostate cancer through genetic manipulation.
What are the central themes covered in the text?
Key themes include the history and definition of gene therapy, the role of vectors in delivering genetic material, the function of tumour suppressor genes (like p53), and the integration of gene therapy with existing cancer treatments.
What is the primary objective of the research discussed?
The goal is to determine how gene therapy can effectively treat prostate cancer by replacing or repairing mutated genes and how such methods can be optimized for higher safety and efficacy.
Which scientific methods are analyzed in the work?
The text reviews clinical trial methodologies, the use of viral and non-viral vectors, and the therapeutic combination of gene transfer with ionizing radiation to inhibit tumour growth.
What core topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the classification of gene therapy (germline vs. somatic), the mechanism of vector delivery, specific genetic targets like the p53 and p16 genes, and the clinical outcomes of combined therapy approaches.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is defined by terms such as gene therapy, prostate cancer, p53, radiotherapy, vectors, and oncological treatment.
How does the p53 gene function in the context of prostate cancer?
The p53 gene acts as a "policeman" or checkpoint in cell division; it triggers cell death (apoptosis) in cells with damaged DNA. In many cancers, this gene is mutated or lost, allowing damaged cells to proliferate unchecked.
Why is the combination of gene therapy and radiotherapy considered promising?
Combining these methods allows for a synergistic effect where gene therapy can modify the tumour's response to radiation, leading to better tumour destruction while potentially allowing for lower toxicity to normal tissues.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dr P. Ronald (Autor:in), 2011, Gene Therapy and Prostate Cancer, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/368311
