BBC News published an article on the 8th of December about a new gene therapy that can kill off prostate cancer cells. The therapy technique is able to modify the cancer cells so that the body can attack and kill them. It causes the cells to 'self-destruct' therefore gaining it's name 'suicide gene therapy'. It involves genetically modifying the cancer cells to signal the body's immune system to attack them. They do this because the body doesn't usually recognise cancer cells as the enemy as they are evolved from normal healthy cells. A virus is used to carry the gene therapy to the tumour cells and it results in the cells self-destructing, telling the body's immune system to launch an attack. This research project was led by US scientist at Huston Methodist Hospital, Texas, and they showed that this therapy increased the survival rate in patients by 20% but say that more research is needed to justify this and see the full effectiveness of this treatment. But also say that when combined with radiotherapy, suicide gene therapy is a very promising treatment for prostate cancer in the future.
BBC News "'Suicide' gene therapy kills prostate cancer cells" Article
The below image shows the delivery of the suicide gene and its by standing effects:
BBC News "'Suicide' gene therapy kills prostate cancer cells" Article
The below image shows the delivery of the suicide gene and its by standing effects: