Local Gene Delivery for Cancer Therapy

Gene therapy is an emerging technique with widespread applications in treatment of cardiovascular diseases, monogenic disorder, infectious diseases, and especially cancers. The major challenge for gene therapy is to deliver therapeutic genes to target tissues. Although various gene delivery vectors such as harmless viruses and micro/nano-particles have been developed (i.e. commonly system delivery), concerns remain for the transfection efficiency and stability of those working copies in these vectors. Local gene delivery such as intratumoral infusion, electroporation and implants offers significantly enhanced transfection efficiency with decreased toxicity compared to system delivery and has been broadly used in clinics. In this paper, we reviewed the local gene delivery methods and discussed their distinctive advantages and potential challenges in cancer treatment. Keywords: cancer therapy, drug-eluting implants, electrogene, intratumoral, local gene therapy, magnetic, tumor-tropism delivery, ultrasound, radiotherapy, nano/microparticles