Mesothelioma is essentially a genetic disease. When asbestos fibers penetrate a cell within the patient’s mesothelium, they interact with the DNA inside. This interaction damages the cell’s “source code,” rewriting its basic programming and turning it into a malignant cell. Gene therapy seeks to correct this “hacking” of DNA by introducing a genetically-engineered virus carrying a normal copy of the gene into the patient’s body. Once “infected” with this virus, the DNA of the damaged cells is overwritten by the normal DNA, switching them back to their normal function. Mesothelioma is essentially a genetic disease. When asbestos fibers penetrate a cell within the patient’s mesothelium, they interact with the DNA inside. This interaction damages the cell’s “source code,” rewriting its basic programming and turning it into a malignant cell.
Gene therapy seeks to correct this “hacking” of DNA by introducing a genetically-engineered virus carrying a normal copy of the gene into the patient’s body. Once “infected” with this virus, the DNA of the damaged cells is overwritten by the normal DNA, switching them back to their normal function.
Another virus-based strategy against mesothelioma is “suicide gene therapy.” A virus is hacked to carry a gene that causes cancer cells within the patient’s body to produce a special protein. This protein becomes part of the cells of the tumor.
Then, a separate drug is injected that is not toxic to normal cells, but kills any cells containing the special protein. The drug then destroys the protein-bearing cells, reducing the tumor of which they are part.
The FDA has not yet approved gene therapy for widespread public use, and certain difficulties must be addressed before this happens. Until then, the link between gene therapy and mesothelioma patient treatment will remain experimental.
