Tumor gene therapy is a therapeutic approach that aims to treat cancer by introducing therapeutic genes into tumor cells or surrounding tissues to either directly kill cancer cells or indirectly boost the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. The genes may be introduced into the tumor cells using various delivery methods, including viral vectors, non-viral vectors, and other techniques such as electroporation and microinjection.

One approach to tumor gene therapy involves introducing a suicide gene into tumor cells that can be activated to kill the tumor cells. This is accomplished by introducing a gene that codes for an enzyme that converts a prodrug into a toxic compound. The prodrug is administered to the patient, and when the enzyme is expressed in the tumor cells, it converts the prodrug into the toxic compound, killing the cancer cells.

Another approach is to introduce a gene that codes for a protein that activates the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This can be accomplished by introducing a gene that codes for a cytokine or a co-stimulatory molecule that activates immune cells to target the tumor cells.

Tumor gene therapy can also be used to introduce tumor suppressor genes into tumor cells to restore their normal function, as mutations or inactivation of these genes can contribute to the development and progression of cancer.

While tumor gene therapy holds promise as a potential treatment for cancer, there are also challenges and risks associated with this approach. These include the potential for unintended side effects and immune reactions, as well as the need for effective delivery systems that can specifically target the tumor cells while minimizing off-target effects.

Despite these challenges, researchers continue to develop and refine tumor gene therapy approaches in preclinical and clinical studies in the hopes of providing safer and more effective treatments for cancer.