Gene replacement therapy

Gene replacement therapy:-

A gene named p53 codes for a protein with a molecular weight of 53 kilodaltons

(hence p53). p53 is considered to be a tumor-suppressor gene, since the protein it

encodes binds with DNA and inhibits replication. The tumor cells of several

tissues (breast, brain, lung, skin, bladder, colon, bone) were found to have

altered genes of p53 (mutated p53), synthesizing different proteins from the

original. These altered proteins cannot inhibit DNA replication. It is believed

that the damaged p53 gene may be a causative factor in tumor development.

Some workers have tried to replace the damaged p53 gene by a normal gene by

employing adenovirus vector systems. There are some encouraging results in the

patients with liver cancer.

The antisense therapy for cancer is discussed as a part of antigene and

antisense therapy