Gene therapy for hematological malignancies

Abstract

Since cancer is the result of genetic mutations, it should be well suited for correction through gene therapy. Hematological malignancies in which human gene transfer has been performed are leukemias, lymphomas, graft-versus host disease after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in leukemia, and multiple myeloma. Gene therapy may be used to induce or enhance an antitumor immunological reaction, to correct a genetic defect in the tumor cells, to render the malignant disease more susceptible to conventional therapies, to make the normal host cells more resistant to conventional therapies, or to track cells used for therapy. Gene therapy will probably be most valuable for the eradication of minimal residual disease after the use of conventional therapies.

Gene transfer of pro-IL-18 and IL-1β converting enzyme cDNA induces potent antitumor effects in L1210 cells

“…It is suggested that a novel selective therapeutic strategy, eradication of leukemia cells in a cell-specific manner without affecting normal cells, will cure these refractory hematological malignancies. [1][2][3] Thus, the development of immunological methods for induction of T cells specific for hematopoietic tumors or stimulation of the antileukemia functions is expected. Immunoprotection gene therapy may enhance host immunity against regrowth of leukemia cells through the administration of gene-modified autologous leukemia cells.…”