Transcriptional Targeting in Cancer Gene Therapy. Issue 2 (21st April 2003)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Robson, Tracy; Hirst, David G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of biomedicine and biotechnology. Volume 2003:Issue 2(2003)
• Page Start: 110
• Page End: 137
• Publication Date: 2003-04-21
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Medicine; Biology; Biotechnology; Médecine; Biologie; Biotechnologie; Biology; Biotechnology; Medicine; Biotechnology; Biomedicine; Electronic journals; Periodical; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610
• DOI: 10.1155/S1110724303209074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1110-7243

Abstract

Abstract : Cancer gene therapy has been one of the most exciting areas of therapeutic research in the past decade. In this review, we discuss strategies to restrict transcription of transgenes to tumour cells. A range of promoters which are tissue-specific, tumour-specific, or inducible by exogenous agents are presented. Transcriptional targeting should prevent normal tissue toxicities associated with other cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. In addition, the specificity of these strategies should provide improved targeting of metastatic tumours following systemic gene delivery. Rapid progress in the ability to specifically control transgenes will allow systemic gene delivery for cancer therapy to become a real possibility in the near future.