What are the challenges when using gene therapy?

A functional gene, such as p53, is rapidly destroyed by the body’s digestive system or immune system when given to a person either as a pill or by injection, respectively. Thus, the expected benefit from the pill or injection cannot be achieved. The challenge then is in knowing how to put the p53 gene into the right place and at the right time for it to work its magic.

Scientists and researchers found a brilliant solution by putting the p53 gene inside an adenovirus. At the same time, the harmful genes of the virus, including ability to replicate, is taken out. That is why Gendicine is called a recombinant human adenovirus-p53 injection.

What is so special about the adenovirus? Unlike a naked p53 gene, the adenovirus can enter the human body without being destroyed immediately. It thus makes it an ideal vehicle to deliver p53 to its target.

The adenovirus containing p53 can proceed to the cancer cells by docking to the coxsackie adenovirus receptor on the cancer cell’s surface. After that, it proceeds to the nucleus where it delivers the functioning p53 into the genome of the cancer cell. The p53 then integrates into the DNA of the cancer cell. Once the p53 is activated, the process of the cancer cell’s destruction begins.

Still want to know more? Contact us today for more information on how Gendicine works.

What types of cancer is Gendicine effective against?

In 2003, China’s Food and Drug Administration approved Gendicine for use on cancer based on pioneering studies in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma which was prevalent in China. Subsequently, it has also been used successfully in all varieties of solid tumors such as lung cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and others.

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How is Gene Therapy different from Chemotherapy?

While both Gene Therapy and Chemotherapy aim to fight cancer, their means of doing so are different. Here’s is what makes Gendicine, a form of Gene Therapy, different:

• It only targets cancer cells. No healthy cells are harmed in the process.
• Cancer cells do not develop resistance to gene therapy, so Gendicine’s effectiveness remains consistent.
• Cancer patients who received Gendicine have an overall response rate of 70%, compared to chemotheraphy’s 20%
• There are no serious side effects such as vomiting and hair loss. Most patients only report slight fevers that typically go away 2-6 hours after being injected with Gendicine.
• When combined with other forms of treatment, Gendicine helps increase tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hyperthermia therapy.

You can learn more about how Gendicine is different from other forms of treatment by contacting us today!

Can you combine p53 gene therapy conventional chemotherapy?

Yes. While Gendicine has been proven effective against many types of tumors particularly in the head and neck, it becomes even more effective when combined with other forms of treatment.

Many tumors, for example, are resistant to chemotherapy due to a gene called MDR1. But studies have shown that p53 gene therapy can reverse the effect of the MDR1 gene, making tumors sensitive again to chemotherapy drugs like Cisplatin. Because of this, Gendicine is normally combined with conventional chemotherapy to produce more positive effects against cancer.

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Where can I get p53 gene therapy treatment?

Philippine-based doctors can now administer P53 gene therapy treatments using Gendicine. Those doctors interested in giving Gendicine to their patients can contact us through our contact page.

Tullamarine Inc., through the Cancer Treatment and Support Foundation, can also help secure the Compassionate Special Permit for patients from the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines.

Currently, patients have been treated with p53 gene therapy at the following hospitals: Manila Doctors Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center at Quezon City, St. Luke’s Medical Center at Global City, The National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, The Medical City, Chong Hua Hospital, Perpetual Succor Hospital, and others.

For more information on Gendicine and p53 gene therapy treatment, please click on the link to contact us.

Who distributes Gendicine in the Philippines?

Tullamarine Inc. has been appointed by Canada-based Modecs Genetics Inc. to be the exclusive distributor of Gendicine in the Philippines. Learn more about Gendicine here.