GENE-THERAPY FOR MALIGNANT GLIOMAS

Malignant gliomas are attractive targets for gene therapy because of t heir relatively well-localized distribution. Several new strategies ha ve been devised that target different aspects of glioma biology. Gene transfer can be used to synthesize chemotherapy drugs that block DNA s ynthesis within these highly mitotic tumors. New genes can be introduc ed that restore the functions of mutated tumor suppressor genes or blo ck the molecular pathways needed for tumor angiogenesis. Alternatively , the immune response to these tumors can be augmented by the local pr oduction of cytokines. Finally, viruses themselves can be used as tumo ricidal agents by designing viruses that selectively replicate and des troy tumor cells. The advantages and limitations of these approaches a re discussed in the context of their possible application to the treat ment of these highly lethal malignancies.