Abstract
Background: Gene therapy is a targeted alteration of the genome with therapeutic intent. Genetic material is transferred to the target cell by viral or non-viral vectors.
Several methods for highly accurate and specific genome editing have been developed. Clinical applications of gene therapy in patients receiving radiotherapy aim at enhancing the effect of radiotherapy and minimizing damage to normal tissues.
The effects of radiation and gene therapy may be synergistic. Radiotherapy determines the time and place of gene construct activation and can increase the efficiency of gene transfer.
Some gene therapies increase the radiosensibility of the target tissue. Basic strategies for gene therapy in oncology include gene transfer to increase tumor sensitivity to pharmacotherapy or radiotherapy, compensate/control the lost or deregulated oncogenes, block oncogene expression using antisense oligonucleotides, and increase tumor immunogenicity in order to induce or stimulate anti-tumor immunity.
Objectives: The aim of this short review is to provide the information on strategies and possibilities of combinations of gene therapy and radiotherapy. Conclusions: Various types of gene therapy and radiotherapy can be combined to increase the locoregional antitumor effect and reduce toxicity.
However, all applications of gene therapy in combination with radiotherapy currently remain experimental.