Development of DNA-based radiopharmaceuticals carrying Auger-electron emitters for antigene radiotherapy.

Most gene therapy methods currently used to correct gene expression rely on either gene introduction, modification, replacement or antisense approaches. Typically, gene therapy seeks to add-back missing functionality. Antisense therapy is employed to reduce or eliminate expression of specific gene products. A more direct manipulation of gene function at the DNA level may be advantageous in circumstances where gene replacement alone is not sufficient to prevent or treat disease due to continued expression of defective gene products, or for cases in which continuous long-term antisense treatment is impractical or impossible. Consequently, exploration of approaches to change gene function directly at the DNA level may, in some cases, provide an important alternative to current methods of gene therapy. Targeting specific genes unique to cancer cells may also be a way to selectively eliminate such cells via induced cell necrosis or apoptosis; and, perhaps, even a way to genetically “correct” some aspect of neoplastic cell behavior to cause reversion to a non-neoplastic phenotype.