Mesothelioma Gene Therapy

Although conventional therapies remain the most prominent ways of fighting mesothelioma, alternative options such as gene therapy are becoming more common. Gene therapy addresses the DNA sequences within chromosomes that issue instructions for cellular function. If a gene has become defective, it will produce a defective protein that can potentially cause the development of a genetic disease. Although still largely experimental, gene therapy seeks to replace defective genes with correctly functioning copies.

Typically, a virus is altered to remove any illness-causing characteristics while adding a normal copy of the gene in question. Since viruses naturally override a cell's genetic makeup, this is one of the most effective ways of getting the necessary gene to the cell. A patient will then be "infected" by the virus, which enters only the sick cells and changes their protein production.

Gene Therapy for Mesothelioma

Most recent developments for gene therapy have centered on its potential for cancer treatment. By targeting cancer cells, mesothelioma tumors may be more receptive to chemotherapeutic drugs after gene therapy. One form of gene therapy delivers cytokines to targeted cells, using genetically altered viruses as a means of transportation. Cytokines can direct an immune response and for mesothelioma patients, they may be able to prompt an immune system attack on the tumor.

Suicide gene therapy is another promising form of gene therapy that also targets tumor cells with a genetically altered virus. In this form of gene therapy, a virus is injected with a protein that converts a non-toxic drug into one that can kill the cells that carry the protein.

In suicide gene therapy, the virus only infects the mesothelioma cells, and after a short period of time, another drug is administered to react with the protein and kill the cancerous cells. This procedure has illustrated somewhat successful results. In a gene therapy clinical trial at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, four of 34 patients treated with a genetically altered virus achieved significant tumor regression. Another two patients achieved complete regression for at least seven years after the end of treatment.

Side Effects and Complications of Gene Therapy

Although gene therapy works by removing harmful properties of a virus, patients may commonly experience symptoms associated with infection. These are often quite mild and include chills or fever, yet more serious side effects are possible.

During clinical trials, researchers pay special attention to the ways mesothelioma gene therapy affects the patient's immune system. Doctors must determine a way to ensure adequate protein production once the gene has been deposited in the cancerous cells. More research and clinical trials must explore gene therapy before the FDA approves it for widespread use, but currently, the potential benefits outweigh the risks for this form of mesothelioma treatment.