Gene therapy ‘trains’ immune system to destroy brain cancer cells

February 20, 2008 | Source: KurzweilAI

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center researchers have developed a new gene therapy for the most common and deadly type of brain cancer, which attracts and trains immune system cells to destroy cancer cells.

The therapy also provides long-term immunity, produces no significant adverse effects and–in the process of destroying the tumor–promotes the return of normal brain function and behavioral skills.

It uses two therapeutic proteins delivered by viruses into the tumor cells–one protein to kill the cells, and the other to alert the immune system to the tumor cells’ antigens. The survival rate for two combined proteins was 70%, compared to 20% for the tumor killer alone.

The cancer–glioblastoma multiforme–is difficult to treat in part because tumor cells readily migrate to other areas. The gene therapy approach bypasses this and other treatment difficulties.

Human trials will begin later in 2008.

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center News Release