Experimental Gene Therapy for Cancers
What is gene therapy?
Gene therapy is an experimental technique that uses genes to treat
or prevent
disease. In the future, this technique may allow doctors to treat a disorder by
inserting a gene into a patient's cells instead
of using drugs or surgery. Researchers
are testing several approaches to gene therapy, including:
*Replacing a mutated gene that causes
disease with a healthy copy of
the gene.
* Inactivating,or "knocking out,"a mutated gene that is functioning
improperly.
*Introducing
a new gene into the body to help fight a disease.
Although gene therapy is a promising treatment option for a number of diseases
(including
inherited disorders, some types of cancer, and certain viral infections),
the technique remains risky and is still under study to make
sure that it will be safe
and effective. Gene therapy is currently only being tested for the treatment of
diseases that have no other
cures.
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