Scientists researching the treatment of cancer with gene

1. Scientists researching the treatment of cancer with gene therapy have three basic approaches. One way is to genetically alter a person's immune cells that are already naturally targeted to kill cancer cells. By arming immune cells with cancer-fighting genes, it is hoped they could more forcefully attack the cancer. Clinical trials along these lines are in progress for the treatment of melanoma. Another method is to take cancer cells from the body and alter them genetically so that they elicit a strong immune response. These cells can then be returned to the body to act as a type of cancer vaccine. Various clinical trials using this approach are under way. The third approach is to inject a tumour with a gene that renders the tumour cells vulnerable to an antibiotic or other drug. Such trials are in progress for the treatment of brain tumours. There are, however, major problems yet to be overcome before gene therapy can become a common way of treating diseases. Scientists have to learn how to isolate and deliver curative genes. They have to develop vectors (carriers) that can be injected directly into the patient. These vectors have to be able to home in on cancer cells and successfully integrate the desired gene into the DNA of these cells.

2. Gene therapy for Familial Hypercholesterolemia http://www.sigmaxi.org/amsci/articles/99articles/Kmieccap12.html