Gene therapy for ovarian cancer: progress and potential

Technologic advances have provided new insight into the molecular basis of carcinogenesis and have provided for the development of gene therapies as an anticancer strategy in human ovarian cancer. Vectors including adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, retrovirus, and nonviral cationic liposomes are being used to transduce desired genes into tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Current strategies focus on molecular chemotherapy, mutation compensation, immunopotentiation, altered drug sensitivity, and oncolytic virotherapy. Promising preclinical trials have led to the development of clinical trials for patients with ovarian cancer; however, significant antitumor activity has yet to be realized. New efforts are under way to improve on gene therapy strategies based on lessons learned from these clinical trials.