Saturday 28 May 2011

New gene therapy shows promise as mesothelioma treatment

Initial treatment options in oncology will shortly publish a report covers the section of the gene therapy on malignant mesothelioma. Gene therapy is a new advanced treatment using a different viral agents to provide genetic changes in the target areas. The negative effects of a virus are removed, leaving only "search and contact characteristics of the virus. This cell structure Piggy Back agent of change prepared to alter the genetic makeup of target tissues.

Mesothelioma is a rare tumor that affects about three thousand and twenty thousand Americans each year worldwide. Mesothelioma is caused by toxic asbestos fibers, which can start developing a cancer of the lining of organs, if inhaled or ingested. This development begins with a latency period of twenty to fifty years, unnoticed by patients. When symptoms do not show the mesothelioma has reached its aggressive phase. The symptoms resemble those of bronchitis and pneumonia, however, is difficult to recognize. Once a correct diagnosis is made, patients receive a prognosis mesothelioma. Life expectancy varies mesothelioma of six months to several years. Mesothelioma is considered a fatal cancer and is without remedy.

When the gene therapy agent for the mobile phone for change are released into the body target cells of mesothelioma to deliver one of three genetic modifications: Agent of cells may initiate a process of cell death in mesothelioma cells, increase the risk that the choice of treatment, or inhibit the reproduction of cells that stop the spread of cancer.

According to the researchers in gene therapy, new treatments that could be very useful in the fight against mesothelioma in several respects. Mesothelioma tumors are characterized by a large cell surface, allowing the cells to change agent greater accuracy in the performance of genetic modifications. Moreover, the tumors of mesothelioma are tend to be grouped in the early stages of the disease, if early diagnosis could be made, the agent of change cells may have a greater target area, rather than scattered smaller. This speed of delivery options and response to gene therapy.

There are currently two ongoing gene therapy trials, both sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and conducted at the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center. It is "intrapleural gene transfer for malignant pleural mesothelioma" and "combination of gene transfer and chemotherapy. The study's authors say the recent gene therapy" has demonstrated safety and some evidence of limited effectiveness.

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