FHIT GENE THERAPY PREVENTS TUMOR DEVELOPMENT IN FHIT-DEFICIENT MICE

摘要

Inactivation of FHIT, a tumor suppressor gene, is found in a large fraction of cells that are either premalignant or malignant. The present invention relates to gene therapy wherein the FHIT gene is administered, either in vivo or ex vivo, to a patient to inhibit tumor development. The gene therapy methods of the present invention will be used in the treatment of disorders involving an overproliferation of cells. Further, the gene therapy methods of the present invention are useful in protecting a patient that is predisposed to developing a cancer.