Gene therapy for lung cancer

In the pre-clinical research into the development of gene therapy for cance r, different strategies have evolved and shown promising results in the lab oratory. However, most of these strategies will need further refinement to obtain clinical success. This is partly due to the lack of suitable vector systems which specifically can deliver the therapeutic gene to the target c ells, and ensure expression of the therapeutic gene. In this review we will give an introduction to different strategies used in cancer gene therapy f or neoplasms of the lung, and focus on how to target gene delivery to disse minated lung cancer cells. Tumor specific gene expression can be accomplish ed at different levels. One way to accomplish targeted gene delivery is by coupling of receptor specific ligands to the vector. Specific gene delivery to cells expressing the target receptor will occur by receptor mediated en docytosis of the vector. Further restriction of gene expression to cancer c ells can be accomplished by utilizing promoters predominantly active in tum ors. When gene therapy is targeted at different levels, efficient gene deli very to disseminated cancer cells by systemic vector administration will be an attractive future prospect. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.