Some 70% of protocols reviewed by the NIH, of gene therapy trials worldwide have been carried out in cancer patients. They cover a wide spectrum of approaches: traditional immunotherapy, transfer of genes for cytokines, immune accessory molecules, tumor antigens aimed at various cellular targets, chemoprotection and tumor-suppressor gene replacement. Most studies try to assess the toxicity and tolerance for gene therapy and its lack of efficacy still prevents the enrollment of large, randomized numbers of patients. Progress has been reviewed at the ?Clinical Conference on Drug Discovery in the 21st Century?, at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, January 16-18, 2001.
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