In the gene therapy for cancer treatment, the genes of patients are altered in such a manner that so that the body can fight or prevent cancer. This therapy is still not used for the treatment of any form of cancer as it is still in the experimental stages. However, scientists claim that if used, it can treat cancer effectively.

How Gene Therapy is Works

As we know the genes or the DNA or RNA of the patient’s body is used for cancer treatment. The gene inserted in the body interferes with the synthesis of a targeted protein or the targeted DNA in the patient’s body. In this process, the defective gene is replaced with the normal gene which restores the functioning of the lost gene and helps the patient’s body to perform its daily activities properly. As the cancerous cells have a genetic origin the inserted gene reacts with the DNA of these cells and replaces it by the DNA of the normal gene, thereby killing the DNA of the cancerous cell or the cancerous cells.

Procedure of Gene Therapy

As said above, the gene is inserted inside the body of the patient. However, this gene cannot be directly taken and transferred into the patient’s body. A carrier or a vector is required to transfer this gene in the patient’s body. These vectors are in the form of viruses, as the viruses can recognize different cells and thus insert their genetic material in them, to convert them into a gene of their own. In the ex vivo technique, the patient’s bone marrow or blood cells are removed and allowed to grow synthetically or artificially in the laboratory. These grown cells along with the desired gene are then inserted intravenously into the patient’s body. This then reacts with the gene of the cancerous cells and replaces it with its own healthy or normal gene. In case of in vivo technique, fatty cells or liposomes act as vectors for the gene therapy and destroy the cancerous cells.

Risks Involved

Though gene therapy seems to be a safe method of treatment for cancer there are few risks involved, which the researchers are still working on to make this method as one of the effective methods for the treatment of cancer. We will discuss these methods below:

• When viruses are used as vectors to carry they can also affect the other cells other than the ones targeted.
• The inserted viral vector could react with the immune system and cause an immune reaction.
• The inserted gene can react with the wrong gene and cause unfavorable or harmful mutations in the DNA of the existing normal cell.
• There are chances that the inserted vector can be transferred to another person through the patient

Although there a few risks involved, gene therapy for cancer treatment is still not yet used for the treatment of any kind of cancer by the researchers. However, the chances of this therapy to become effective and turn out as one of the effective methods of treatment for cancer are quite bright.