Abstract
Cancer is a disease of a series of genes. Thus, theoretically, brain tumors could be treated by targeting their fundamental molecular defects. Currently, most of the approved clinical protocols for gene therapy involve cancer patients. Several of these protocols are designed to improve the treatment of brain tumors. In this brief report, we analyze the rationale, advantages, and disadvantages of a series of gene therapy approaches against brain tumors that include transfer of tumor suppressor genes and cell-cycle modulators; suicide or prodrug strategies; immunogene therapy; antiangiogenesis; and oncolytic virus therapy. In summary, in this review, we highlight the translational advances in molecular medicine that broaden our battery of therapies for patients with brain tumors.
MeSH terms
-
Brain Neoplasms / genetics*
-
Brain Neoplasms / physiopathology
-
Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
-
Carrier Proteins*
-
Cell Cycle / genetics
-
Cell Cycle Proteins*
-
DNA-Binding Proteins*
-
E2F Transcription Factors
-
Genes, Tumor Suppressor / genetics
-
Genes, p53
-
Genetic Therapy / methods*
-
Glioma / genetics*
-
Glioma / physiopathology
-
Glioma / therapy*
-
Humans
-
Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
-
PTEN Phosphohydrolase
-
Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / genetics
-
Prodrugs / therapeutic use
-
Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 1
-
Transcription Factor DP1
-
Transcription Factors / genetics
-
Tumor Suppressor Proteins*
-
Viruses / genetics
Substances
-
Carrier Proteins
-
Cell Cycle Proteins
-
DNA-Binding Proteins
-
E2F Transcription Factors
-
Prodrugs
-
Retinoblastoma-Binding Protein 1
-
Transcription Factor DP1
-
Transcription Factors
-
Tumor Suppressor Proteins
-
Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases
-
PTEN Phosphohydrolase
-
PTEN protein, human