China develops gene therapy for cancer
(CRI)
Updated: 2004-07-06 10:22

China has developed an gene therapy for cancer, the world's first officially licensed "gene therapy".

Terminally ill cancer patients from Europe and America are travelling to China for treatment with a revolutionary anti-tumour drug, which is the world's first officially licensed "gene therapy", CRIENGLISH.com reported Sunday.

The drug works by inserting a gene, called p53, into a virus, which is then injected into patients. The gene is naturally present in healthy cells but is "switched off" or mutated in many cancer patients.

When reinserted into tumour cells by the virus, it triggers their self-destruction, and programmes cancer cells to commit suicide.

The Chinese government approved the manufacture and use of the drug at the end of last year after clinical trials found that it markedly improved the survival rate for patients with cancer of the head and neck.

Doctors are now extending the treatment, named Gendicine, to patients with lung and stomach cancer.

Close

Today's Top News     Top China News
Former prisoner fights for state compensation         Airline to compensate for delays         19,374 civil servants fired to clean up gov't         PetroChina eyes South China Sea exploration         EU forum focuses on IPR protection         Complaints on home demolitions soar	Amendment urged to protect civil rights       Airline to compensate for delays       Hu welcomes Mongolian leader       Bigger role in store for private schools       Climber's death sounds safety alarm       Cairns Decision amended in Suzhou