Suicide Gene Therapy against Cancer

A major limitation of conventional chemotherapies used in cancer treatments today are low therapeutic indices and side effects that result from drug effects on normal tissues (off target). One of the most innovative approaches to developing antineoplastic agents with increased tumor selectivity is the use of suicide gene therapy. Suicide gene therapy involves delivering a gene product in proximity to the targeted cancer tissue through various targeted delivery methods followed by tissue/tumor-specific expression of the gene product which then converts a systemically available pro-drug into an active drug within the tumor locale. Here we summarize the concept of gene therapy for cancer and introduce the most frequently used suicide gene therapy systems. In addition we discuss viral, molecular and cellular vectors and their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, we describe the clinical applications, limitations and potential side effects of suicide gene therapy to date. Citation: Rajab TK, Nelson PJ, Keung EZ, Conrad C (2013) Suicide Gene Therapy against Cancer. J Genet Syndr Gene Ther 4: 187. doi:10.4172/21577412.1000187