In cancer treatment, how is the third major strategy of gene therapy utilized to combat malignancy?
Answer
By modifying immune cells to better recognize and destroy tumor cells.
One of the principal aims of gene therapy is the introduction of entirely new genetic material intended to equip the body with a new defense mechanism against a disease. In the context of cancer, this strategy is applied by genetically engineering components of the patient's own immune system, such as T-cells. The introduced gene provides these immune cells with novel instructions, significantly enhancing their capacity to specifically identify surface markers on tumor cells. This targeted enhancement turns the body’s natural defenses into precision instruments capable of recognizing and effectively eliminating the malignancy.
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