che·mo·pro·tec·tion (k  m -pr -t k shn)n. A therapeutic technique in which bone marrow cells are removed from an individual with cancer and are genetically modified to withstand higher doses of chemotherapy before being returned to the donor. |
gene therapy
Molecular medicine Treatment of disease by replacing, altering or supplementing the genetic structure of either germline–reproductive or somatic–nonreproductive cells a structure that is absent or abnormal and
responsible for disease; any of a group of techniques in molecular biology, in which a gene of interest is manipulated, either by mutational inactivation–eg, the 'knock-out mouse', or by replacement, if it causes a particular
disease; GT encompasses any therapy that specifically targets the core defect in inherited diseases, either by affecting somatic cells or germ line cells which are usually inserted into the host's genome; strategies for GT include 1.
Introduction of a recombinant retrovirus with the missing gene, the promoter, and the gene regulator sequence in the 'package', and 2. Implantation of the colonies of cells producing the missing factor(s)–eg,
α1-antitrypsin deficiency with the missing enzyme introduced into 'carrier' fibroblasts
Gene therapy strategies
Antibody genes Interfere with cancer-related protein activity in tumor cells
Antisense Block synthesis of proteins encoded by a defective gene in the host
Chemoprotection Add proteins to cells that protect them from the toxic effect of chemotherapy
Immunotherapy Enhance host defense against cancer
Oncogene downregulation Turn off genes involved in uncontrolled growth and metastases of tumor cells
Suicide gene/pro-drug therapy Insert proteins that metabolize normal drugs and ↑ their toxicity to proliferating–ie tumor cells
Tumor suppressor genes Replace defective/deficient cancer-inhibiting genes
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