Scientists at the National Cancer Institute have been able to induce melanoma patients’ own immune system to attack cancerous cells and eliminate them with gene therapy using a retrovirus engineered to encode a T cell receptor. Two out of 17 people in the study achieved cancer regression.
BBC News has a Q&A: Skin cancer gene therapy:
What is the future for gene therapy?
Doctors and scientists working in the field are confident that gene therapy could provide the key to curing a wide range of major diseases.
They, however, acknowledge that much more study is needed before the technique can be used extensively.
Authorities in the UK also remain confident that the technique will one day help many children and adults with incurable diseases.
Cancer Regression in Patients After Transfer of Genetically Engineered Lymphocytes, Morgan, RA et al., Science, August 31, 2006
Chicago Tribune, September 1, 2006
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