Suicide gene therapy
“Suicide gene therapy” is a type of gene therapy that involves introducing a therapeutic gene into cells, which, under certain conditions, can trigger the death of those cells. The purpose of suicide gene therapy is to selectively target and eliminate specific cells, such as cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
One commonly used suicide gene in gene therapy research is the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene. This gene is introduced into target cells, which can then convert a non-toxic prodrug, typically ganciclovir, into a toxic compound. The activated toxic compound selectively kills the cells expressing the suicide gene.
The rationale behind suicide gene therapy is to provide a mechanism for targeted cell death and potentially enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments. By selectively killing cancer cells, it may be possible to reduce tumor size and improve patient outcomes.
It's important to note that suicide gene therapy is an area of ongoing research and development, and its application and effectiveness can vary depending on the specific disease or condition being targeted. Additionally, the field of gene therapy as a whole is continuously evolving, and further research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and limitations.