Gene Therapy of Cancer: Translational Approaches from Preclinical Studies to Clinical Implementation

Gene therapy of cancer represents a rapidly expanding field translating basic research concepts into new cutting edge technological advances. This text provides in-depth coverage of all modalities currently being used by developmental therapists to design new targeted treatments for cancer. The basic biology of cancer and cancer immunology are discussed, as are cancer targets including oncogenes, the cell cycle, induction of apoptosis, drug resistance pathways, and tumor specific antigens. Therpeautic approaches include gene replacement therapies, ribosome and antisense oligonucleotide therapies, retrovirus-mediated gene transfer, adenovirus gene transfer, nonviral approaches, tumor vaccines, engineered immunocompetent cells, and cytokine gene therapy. This comprehensive review will serve as a reference text for the field of cancer gene therapy.