Gene Therapy: putting genes into the body's relevant cells to replace a screwed-up gene and thus fix a genetic disease.
Viruses can be used as delivery vectors for this.
(not the only vector: gene guns, injections, etc.)
Idea: apply gene therapy to fetuses (fewer cells to treat)
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Viruses and cancer
Oncolytic Viruses
"onco"- cancer
"lytic" - killing
Virotherapy: a therapy that seeks to harness the natural properties of viruses to aid in the fight against cancer
Strategies:
Viruses modified so as to only bind to cancer cells. (Finding the 'markers' is difficult)
Viruses "armed" with different/more genes to enhance effect
Viruses modified so that they can only reproduce in abnormal cells
Great idea in theory; how will it work out in process.
Also, tumor cells tend to lack proper interferon response.
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Advantages of VSV in particular come into play
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Political problems a danger to worldwide disease-eradication campaigns
Vaccination campaigns always harder in developing countries anyways.
W/ polio, virus changes a bit
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