Lung Cancer is the deadliest form of disease and one of the reasons that lung cancer is becoming difficult to treat is that the treatments administered orally or intravenously have difficulty in reaching the lungs. A new therapy has been found called inhaled gene therapy.
Fast-Tracked Therapy With Promising Trial Results
Inhalable gene therapy for lung cancer has been fast-tracked towards approval after receiving promising clinical trial results. This therapy genetically modified lung cells. It is an innovative treatment as it uses a virus to transport genes that strengthen the immune system to lung cells. This makes them more effective in fighting tumors.
How the Inhaled Gene Therapy Works
Inhaled gene therapy contains a herpes virus which is modified to become harmless. This virus transports two genes, one that encodes the protein interleukin-2 and the ones that encodes interleukin-12 to the lung cells. Although these substances are produced naturally in body but tumors often react and deplete them. So, gene therapy works to restore their production.
Expert Observation from Clinical Findings
Wen Wee Mafrom the Cleveland Clinic, in Ohio, at one from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, in Chicago, “Very encouragingly, the hypothesis was proven – there was a reduction in tumors in the lungs.”
Early Patient Outcomes
According to the team, the gene therapy reduced the size of lung tumors in three of 11 people and stopped them from getting bigger in other five. This new therapy is inhaled rather than ingested or injected. The advantage of this therapy is that it delivers the therapy directly to the lungs.
Regulatory Recognition
These positive results have given gene therapy the designation of “advanced regenerative medicine therapy.”
Limitations of the Therapy
One disadvantage of this gene therapy is that it targets tumors only confined to the lungs. It does not work when it has spread to other parts of the body.
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only. You should always consult with your healthcare professional for any medical needs.
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