Modulation of oncogene and tumor-suppressor gene expression: A novel strategy for cancer prevention and treatment

Background: Advances in our understanding of the molecular biology of cancer have the potential for translation into clinical cancer prevention and treatment strategies. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes have been implicated in the development of human cancers Mutations in gene families occur in both premalignant lesions and invasive tumors. Conclusion: Recombinant DNA constructs can be made that eliminate expression of a mutant oncogene protein or provide a normal copy of a tumor suppressor gene to the cancer cell. Reversal of a single genetic lesion is sufficient to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenicity. Viral vectors are now being evaluated for direct delivery of these constructs to human tumors.