Gene Therapy as a New Emerging Strategy for Prostate Cancer

Therapeutic gene modification has emerged as a prominent topic in both public discourse and scholarly investigations in the fields of fundamental and clinical research, garnering significant attention over the course of many decades. The usage of CRISPR–Cas9-based technologies in both basic and clinical investigations, as well as the current clinical trials, have shown the promising prospects of genome editing in the treatment of human diseases. The examination of studies and clinical trials in the field of gene therapy indicates a notable focus on prostate cancer studies and its use in clinical practice. There are several factors that contribute to the attractiveness of gene therapy as a potential treatment for prostate cancer. These factors include the ability to directly inject and sample tumors due to anatomical considerations, the existence of preclinical models that mimic the immune system, and the identification of tumor-specific antigens that can be targeted to stimulate an immune response. These aspects collectively enhance the potential of gene therapy as a viable approach for managing this prevalent form of cancer. Vaccine-based treatments that elicit an immune response and novel technologies using CRISPR–Cas9-assisted methodologies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies, have significant potential and are now being examined in both laboratory and clinical settings. Despite the lack of oncologically significant effects in clinical settings, laboratory and preclinical advancements in gene therapy for PCa hold considerable possibilities for future investigations.