Gene therapy for ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer remains the leading cause of death due to gynecologic cancer in women in the United States. Gene and viral-based therapies represent novel therapeutic approaches for cancer. The manipulation of genetic content of tumor cells toward a therapeutic end has been divided into several general strategies, including molecular chemotherapy, mutation compensation, immunopotentiation, and virotherapy. Improvements in delivery vehicles and in evaluation of gene transfer and viral replication remain important areas of investigation. We highlight the most recent advances in these novel therapeutic approaches for ovarian cancer and include a summary of recent clinical trials.