Nichols explores the potential for gene therapy and identifies those who are candidates for it. Having provided a biomedical background for understanding somatic cell gene therapy, she takes a thoughtful look at complex and sensitive issues surrounding ethical, economic, and policy aspects of manipulating human genes.

The Second Edition of Gene Therapy of Cancer provides crucial updates on the basic science and ongoing research in this field, examining the state of the art technology in gene therapy and its therapeutic applications to the treatment of cancer. The clinical chapters are improved to include new areas of research and more successful trials. Chapters emphasize the scientific basis of gene therapy using immune, oncogene, antisense, pro-drug activating, and drug resistance gene targets, while other chapters discuss therapeutic approaches and clinical applications. This book is a valuable reference for anyone needing to stay abreast of the latest advances in gene therapy treatment for cancer. Provides in-depth description of targeted systems and treatment strategies Explains the underlying cancer biology necessary for understanding a given therapeutic approach Extensively covers immune therapeutics of vaccines, cytokines, and peptide-induced responses Presents translational focus with emphasis on requirements for clinical implementation Incorporates detailed illustrations of vectors and therapeutic approaches ideal for classroom presentations and general reference

During the past eight years following initial gene therapy experiments, more than 200 clinical protocols have been submitted worldwide and more than 2000 patients have been treated. Although a lot remains to be accomplished before gene therapy becomes a standard medical practice, enough information has accumulated to justify a textbook on the subject. Some of the procedures and products are expected to enter the marketplace and medical practice by the year 2000. The public is very much aware of the potential of gene therapy and the medical profession should prepare itself for the new developments by learning about the basics and applications of these techniques. Much of there-search has been conducted in the bio-pharmaceutical industry by gene therapy companies and the commercial opportunities for gene therapy are enormous. A large segment of the society thus has an interest in gene therapy. This book presents a unique critical review of the tremendous progress which has been made in this field. The textbook is an effort to bring a wide range of important developments together in an accessible format. This book is aimed at physicians, gene therapists, molecular biologists, nurse practitioners and students in these fields, as well as other healthcare professionals interested in developments in the field of gene therapy and its impact, both short- and long-term, on the practice of medicine. Industrial executives planning long-term strategies in gene therapy will find this handy textbook to be a comprehensive source of information on the subject and the companies involved in developing it. Prof. K. K. Jain is a neurosurgeon trained in Canada and the United States. He has heldacademic positions in major medical centers around the world. For the last decade, he has been a consultant to a number of major biopharmaceutical companies and now runs his own biotechnology company specializing in gene therapy research and documentation.

Fascinating narrative science that explores the next frontier in medicine and genetics through the very personal prism of the children and families gene therapy has touched. Eight-year-old Corey Haas was nearly blind from a hereditary disorder when his sight was restored through a delicate procedure that made medical history. Like something from a science fiction novel, doctors carefully injected viruses bearing healing genes into the DNA of Corey's eyes—a few days later, Corey could see, his sight restored by gene therapy. THE FOREVER FIX is the first book to tell the fascinating story of gene therapy: how it works, the science behind it, how patients (mostly children) have been helped and harmed, and how scientists learned from each trial to get one step closer to its immense promise, the promise of a "forever fix," - a cure that, by fixing problems at their genetic root, does not need further surgery or medication. Told through the voices of the children and families who have been the inspiration, experimental subjects, and successes of genetic science, THE FOREVER FIX is compelling and engaging narrative science that tells explores the future of medicine as well as the families and scientists who are breaking new ground every day.

This is a reference handbook for young researchers exploring gene and cell therapy. Gene therapy could be defined as a set of strategies modifying gene expression or correcting mutant/defective genes through the administration of DNA (or RNA) to cells, in order to treat disease. Important advances like the discovery of RNA interference, the completion of the Human Genome project or the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSc) and the basics of gene therapy are covered. This is a great book for students, teachers, biomedical researchers delving into gene/cell therapy or researchers borrowing skills from this scientific field.

I entered the gene therapy field in the mid-1990s, being fascinated by the immense potential of genes as drugs for the treatment of human disease. Since then, I have experienced the ups and downs of this discipline, and tried to contribute with my work and that of my laboratory to the development of innovative approaches to the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. During these years, I have had several opp- tunities to speak on gene therapy at lectures and academic lessons, and have often noticed that the field is very attractive to scientists of all disciplines. However, as yet no comprehensive book on the subject has been published. Indeed, most books in the field are either a collection of gene transfer laboratory protocols or deal with the subject in a rather superficial manner. Hence the idea to write a gene therapy textbook that is broad and comprehensive, but at the same time provides sufficient molecular and clinical detail to be of interest to students, professors, and specialists in the various disciplines that contribute to gene therapy. I have tried to keep the language plain and, whenever possible, non-technical. Since the book is intended to be a textbook in the field of gene therapy in both the basic science and clinical areas, whenever technical descriptions are required, they are provided.

This text covers all aspects of gene therapy, including basic principles, viral and nonviral delivery systems, targeted diseases, regulatory issues, and FDA requirements. It investigates genetic bullets to block HIV-1 replication and genetic guns to deliver antiviral agents.