How Do Gene Therapy Vectors Work in Cancer Treatment?
Gene therapy vectors work by altering the genetic makeup of cancer cells to inhibit their growth or induce cell death. This can be achieved through several mechanisms:
Gene Replacement: Introducing a functional copy of a gene to replace a defective one. For example, restoring the function of tumor suppressor genes like p53.
Gene Silencing: Using techniques such as RNA interference (RNAi) to silence oncogenes that drive cancer progression.
Suicide Gene Therapy: Introducing genes that convert non-toxic prodrugs into toxic compounds within cancer cells, effectively killing them.
Immunotherapy: Modifying immune cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. An example is the use of CAR-T cell therapy.
