Gene therapy for pancreatic cancer

Citation
H. Kasuya et al., Gene therapy for pancreatic cancer, HEP-GASTRO, 48(40), 2001, pp. 957-961
Citations number
41
Categorie Soggetti
Gastroenerology and Hepatology","da verificare
Journal title
HEPATO-GASTROENTEROLOGY
ISSN journal
01726390 → ACNP
Volume
48
Issue
40
Year of publication
2001
Pages
957 - 961
Database
ISI
SICI code
0172-6390(200107/08)48:40<957:GTFPC>2.0.ZU;2-E
Abstract
Despite improvements in surgical care and locoregional therapy, the prognos is of patients with pancreatic cancer has seen little improvement over the last several decades. It is difficult to diagnose pancreatic cancer at its earliest stages when it is amenable to cure by surgical resection because i t is too small to produce symptoms in the affected patient. Recent improvem ents in radiographic modalities aimed at earlier detection and extent of ca ncer spread have enabled the clinician to provide the most efficacious trea tment regimen possible. Nevertheless, pancreatic cancer is very aggressive locally and frequently metastasizes to the liver and peritoneum. New strate gies are necessary to treat pancreatic cancer and gene therapy offers hope in this regard. Many studies have revealed the promise of gene therapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer in rodent models. Early clinical trials are ongoing to ev aluate the success of these gene therapy regimens in humans. In this articl e we review the gene therapy strategies currently employed in the fight aga inst pancreatic cancer, including antisense strategies, gene-directed prodr ug activation therapy, promoter gene strategies, and oncolytic viral therap y.