Gene therapy with gene delivery systems and therapeutic strategies: A new frontier in cancer treatment

Gene therapy is a cutting-edge approach in oncology, offering the promise of precise genetic manipulation within tumor cells to revolutionize cancer treatment paradigms. This review article delves into the sophisticated delivery systems-ranging from viral vectors such as adenoviruses and lentiviruses to emerging non-viral techniques like lipid nanoparticles-that enable the targeted introduction of therapeutic genes aimed at inducing apoptosis, inhibiting oncogenesis, and modulating immune responses. The potential for personalized gene therapy is explored, highlighting its role in tailoring treatments to individual tumor profiles and enhancing clinical outcomes while mitigating adverse effects. We examine recent breakthroughs, including CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and oncolytic virus applications, which have shown substantial progress in preclinical models and early-phase trials, paving the way for improved survival rates across various malignancies. This comprehensive review covers critical aspects of current research: delivery mechanisms, therapeutic gene function, and design, personalization strategies, advancements in gene editing technologies, clinical trial findings, and anticipated challenges that future studies must address to optimize safety profiles and extend the applicability of gene therapy in oncological settings. The synthesis presented underscores the transformative potential of gene therapy as a targeted modality capable of fundamentally altering therapeutic landscapes, with personalized approaches serving as a cornerstone for its evolution into next-generation cancer treatments.