About ACGT
Thanks to advances in molecular medicine and the mapping of the human genome, we know for certain that cancer is the result of defective or missing genes. Traditional treatments – surgery, chemotherapy and radiation – do much to ameliorate and sometimes destroy cancer cells, but do not repair the genetic make-up of cancerous genes to prevent recurrence or metastasis.
Gene therapy research has the potential to result in totally new forms of treatment, some of which will stand alone, others that will increase the effectiveness of current treatments. Gene therapies attack only the cancer cells and are not toxic to the body in the way that radiation and chemotherapy can be.
There are several gene therapies:
- Gene proteins delivered directly to the tumor to facilitate cancer cell death.
- Medications that boost the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells [immunotherapy].
- Chemical agents that strangulate cancer cells by cutting off their blood supply [anti-angiogenesis] a technique with application to many diseases.
- Vaccines that will ultimately prevent cancer.
©2007 Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy 96 Cummings Point Road, Stamford, CT, 06902