Gene therapy is used to reinstate the function of a mutated or deleted gene type. When<unk> s are altered in a way that results in less or no expression, several severe problems can arise for the host. This is why<unk> s have commonly been studied and used for gene therapy. The two main approaches used currently to introduce genetic material into cells are viral and non-viral delivery methods. Viral methods The viral method of transferring genetic material harnesses the power of viruses. By using viruses that are durable to genetic material alterations, viral methods of gene therapy for<unk> s have shown to be successful. In this method, vectors from viruses are used. The two most commonly used vectors are adenoviral vectors and adeno-associated vectors. In vitro genetic manipulation of these types of vectors is easy and in vivo application is relatively safe compared to other vectors. Before the vectors are inserted into the<unk> s of the host, they are prepared by having the parts of their genome that control replication either mutated or deleted. This makes them safer for insertion. Then, the desired genetic material is inserted and ligated to the vector. In the case with<unk> s, genetic material which encodes<unk>  has been used successfully, which after application, has shown reduction in<unk>  growth or proliferation. Non-viral methods The non-viral method of transferring genetic material is used less often than the viral method. However, the non-viral method is a more cost-effective, safer, available method of gene delivery not to mention that non-viral methods have shown to induce fewer host immune responses and possess no restrictions on size or length of the transferable genetic material. Non-viral gene therapy uses either chemical or physical methods to introduce genetic material to the desired cells. The chemical methods are used primarily for<unk>  introduction and are divided into two categories which are naked plasmid or liposome-coated plasmids. The naked plasmid strategy has garnered interest because of its easy to use methods. Direct injection into the muscles allows for the plasmid to be taken up into the cell of possible<unk> s where the genetic material of the plasmid can be incorporated into the genetic material of the<unk>  cells and revert any previous damage done to<unk> s. The liposome-coated plasmid method has recently also been of interest since they produce relatively low host immune response and are efficient with cellular targeting. The positively charged capsule in which the genetic material is packaged helps with electrostatic attraction to the negatively charged membranes of the cells as well as the negatively charged DNA of the<unk>  cells. In this way, non-viral methods of gene therapy are highly effective in restoring<unk>  function to<unk>  cells that have either partially or entirely lost this function. Limitations The viral and non-viral gene therapies mentioned above are commonly used but each has some limitations which must be considered. The most important limitation these methods have is the efficacy at which the adenoviral and adeno-associated vectors, naked plasmids, or liposome-coated plasmids are taken in by the host’s<unk>  cells. If proper uptake by the host’s<unk>  cells is not achieved, re-insertion introduces problems such as the host’s immune system recognizing these vectors or plasmids and destroying them which impairs the overall effectiveness of the gene therapy treatment further.
Tumor suppressor gene
Anticancer gene
Human disease modifier gene
Oncogenic retroviridae protein
Oncogene
Fusion gene
Chromosomal fragile site
Regulator gene