Gene Editing and Gene Therapies in Cancer Treatment

Abstract

In past years, several novel treatments have been given by gene therapies for the treatment of cancer. Gene-based therapeutic approaches include gene transfer, oncolytic virotherapy, and immunotherapy. Gene Transfer or gene editing is the most recent treatment method that allows the insertion of new genes into the cancer cell to mediate the slow growth or death of the cancerous cell. Gene transfer is a very flexible technique, and a wide range of genes and vectors are being used in clinical trials with positive results. CRISPR/Cas9 is found to be a promising technology in cancer research. It helps to dissect the mechanism of tumorigenesis, identify the target for drug development, and helps in the cell-based therapies. Oncology virotherapy uses viral particles that are capable of replicating within the cancer cell and results in cell death. Oncology virotherapy has shown great efficiency in metastatic cancer. In immunotherapy, cells and viral particles are genetically modified before being introduced within the patient's body to trigger the host immune response to destroy cancer cells.