SKINIPEDIA - Skin Cancer: Melanoma Explained in Depth
Skin Cancer Melanoma, Part XIV: Gene Therapy
A gene is the basic unit of genetic material. It is the code or "blueprint" by which our body's proteins are made. Alterations in these codes can result in uncontrolled cell growth as in cancer.
On the other hand, selected genes can be altered so as to correct genetic defects or enhance the cancer-fighting potential of cells. There is hope that making changes in genes will lead to successes in treating a wide range of illnesses, so this kind of therapy frequently gets newspaper headlines. However, keep in mind that this treatment is in the very early stages of research, and its effectiveness is yet to be proven conclusively.
One form of gene therapy is based on creating alterations in the white blood cells or in the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILS) so that they will attack the melanoma. This is achieved by removing these cells from the patient, growing them outside the body and treating them so as to increase their number. The next step is the addition of genetic material that produces one of the many growth factors which make the lymphocytes more aggressive as cancer-fighters. These more aggressive lymphocytes are returned to the patient's body in an effort to stimulate the immune system to kill the melanoma and its metastases.
The focus of current research is the identification of genes for specific melanoma antigens. These are molecules found on the cell wall that stimulate the production of antibodies, which are a part of the body's immune defense system. An antibody attaches itself to only one type of antigen. By injecting the gene for the melanoma antigens, the hope is to increase their number and produce a broad attack by the patient's immune system.
Melanoma Skin Cancer - CLINICAL TRIALS - Part XV
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