Gene therapy for lung cancer

Lung cancer represents a paradigm for carcinogen-induced cancers. Tobacco smoke has over 100 carcinogenic agents and the specific interactions of specific carcinogens with genes that suppress tumors and repair DNA have been identified [1]. Lung cancers show multiple genetic lesions and these can be detected even in histologically normal bronchial mucosa from individuals with a smoking history. These genetic abnormalities provide an array of targets for therapy. The p53 tumor suppressor gene appears to play a central role in lung cancer development and was the initial focus of gene therapy approaches to lung cancer.