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Gene Therapy in Melanoma

  • Protocol
Melanoma Techniques and Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Medicine ((MIMM,volume 61))

Abstract

The identification of genes involved in different biologic functions and in the pathogenesis of diseases has paved the way to the possibility of either interfering with the role of such genes or replacing them in somatic cells in case of loss, which may occur in some genetic diseases or cancer. Such progress has been accomplished thanks to advances in molecular biology and applied technology that allow the transport and insertion of genes into recipient cells by viral or physical vectors as well as the inhibition of gene transcription by antisense oligonucleotides. Methods have also been devised to transfer genes not only in vitro but also in vivo, although this latter approach is still limited owing to poor selectivity and targeting of most vectors when given systemically. Viral and physical vectors have been employed; each of these vectors has distinct advantages and disadvantages, and, therefore, the appropriate vector should be selected according to the therapeutic system involved (1). Retro viral vectors have been used largely for their ability to selectively transfect proliferating cells, a feature that can be advantageous in case one wishes to target only proliferating tumor cells. Owing to the heterogeneous proliferation rate in different parts of a tumor, however, it could be desirable, under some circumstances, to be able to target even the fraction of nonproliferating tumor cells. This can now be obtained by the use of lentivirus (2) or by switching to the use of adenoviruses that can target both dividing and quiescent cells but also induce unwanted inflammmatory reactions from the host.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Immunotherapy of Human Tumors, Milan, Italy

    Giorgio Parmiani

  2. Unit of Immunohematology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy

    Flavio Arienti & Arabella Mazzocchi

  3. Unit of Immunotherapy and Gene Therapy, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy

    Cecilia Melani

  4. Unit of Colorectal Surgery C, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy

    Filiberto Belli & Gianfrancesco Gallino

Authors
  1. Giorgio Parmiani
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  2. Flavio Arienti
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  3. Cecilia Melani
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  4. Filiberto Belli
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  5. Gianfrancesco Gallino
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  6. Arabella Mazzocchi
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL

    Brian J. Nickoloff MD,PhD

  2. Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA

    Leroy Hood MD,PhD (President and Director) (President and Director)

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© 2001 Humana Press Inc.

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Parmiani, G., Arienti, F., Melani, C., Belli, F., Gallino, G., Mazzocchi, A. (2001). Gene Therapy in Melanoma. In: Nickoloff, B.J., Hood, L. (eds) Melanoma Techniques and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Medicine, vol 61. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-145-0:203

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-145-0:203

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-89603-684-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-145-9

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