Gene therapy: Principles and potential

Gene therapy is a new and provocative means of treating human malignancy. Insight into the mechanisms of growth and growth regulation within cancer cells has offered multiple potential methods for genetic intervention. The application of gene therapy to prostate cancer is in its infancy. The development of both adenoviral and retroviral replication deficient vectors has provided the ability consistently to transfer genes into cancer cells. Although the ideal gene for transfer has not yet been clearly identified, many genes capable of altering the biological behaviour of prostate cancer exist. Selection of the appropriate gene is highly dependent on the desired therapeutic outcome. A gene therapy strategy, whether dependent on ex vivo or in vivo transfection, must ultimately be tailored to meet the specific needs of the disease to be treated. The potential to treat locally confined disease, preventing subsequent metastasis, or widespread metastatic disease exists. The ultimate success of a prostate cancer gene therapy strategy will rely on comprehensive investigation of the biology of the tumour and careful planning of an effective intervention.