Does gene therapy offer any better results?

Several different strategies are being explored that are generically termed “gene therapy.” One strategy involves the genetic modification of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to make them more effective at killing tumor cells. Another strategy involves the genetic modification of the tumor cells so that they produce immunostimulatory cytokines, which attract and stimulate cells involved in the immune response. Yet another approach involves the in situ genetic modification of tumor nodules so that they produce nonself human leukocyte antigens; the immune system recognizes and rejects these modified tumor nodules in a manner similar to that in which transplanted organs are rejected.

All three approaches have generated promising results in laboratory and/or clinical trials, but all are still in the early investigational phases.

Pavlick AC, Adams S, Fink MA, Bailes A: Novel therapeutic agents under investigation for malignant melanoma, Expert Opin Investig Drugs 12:1545–1558, 2003.