Gene-Based and Viral-Based Therapies.

Disappointing results in the treatment of aggressive central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms such as glioblastoma multiforme have fueled a search for novel treatment modalities. New drugs and new radiation modalities have and are being tested. Biological materials have also been explored as potential anticancer agents. Such biological materials include immunotoxins, engineered cells that release diffusible anticancer factors, proteins, stem cells, immune- or vaccine-based modalities, and gene-based and virus-based therapies. The latter type of experimental treatment is the subject of this chapter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]