Review article. Gene therapy, recent developments and future prospects in gastrointestinal oncology.

Yann Touchefeu (1) , Kevin Harrington (1) , Jean Paul Galmiche (2) , Georges Vassaux (1)

1 Targeted Therapy Laboratory, Section of Cell and Molecular Biology
2 Biothérapies Hépatiques

Background Gene therapy consists of the introduction of genetic material into cells for a therapeutic purpose. A wide range of gene therapy vectors has been developed and used for applications in gastro-intestinal oncology. Aim To review recent developments and published clinical trials concerning the application of gene therapy in liver, colon and pancreatic cancers. Methods Search of the literature published in English using the Pubmed database. Results A large variety of therapeutic genes are under investigation, such as tumour suppressor, suicide, antiangiogenesis, inflammatory cytokine and micro-RNA genes. Recent progress concerns new vectors such as oncolytic viruses, and the synergy between viral gene therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. As evidence of these basic developments, phase I and II clinical trials have recently been published with good safety records and encouraging results, in both adjuvant or advanced disease settings, as a single agent and in combination strategies. Conclusion Cancer gene therapy is not indicated yet in clinical practice. However, basic and clinical advances have been reported and gene therapy is a promising new therapeutic approach for gastrointestinal tumours.

Mots clés: Medicine

Yann Touchefeu, Kevin Harrington, Jean Paul Galmiche, Georges Vassaux. Review article. Gene therapy, recent developments and future prospects in gastrointestinal oncology.: Gene therapy, liver neoplasms, colorectal neoplasms, pancreatic neoplasms. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2010, 32 (8), pp.953. ⟨10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04424.x⟩. ⟨hal-00565917⟩