• Cancer Vectors: Navigating the Evolution, Challenges, and Future Prospects in Gene Therapy
  • Yousof Bavafa Shandiz,1,* Taraneh Nikjamal,2 Mahta Shojaei,3 Kimia Davatgaran,4
    1. Department of Biology, Naghshejahan Higher Education Institute, Isfahan, Iran
    2. Department of Converging Sciences and Technologies, Islamic azad university, central Tehran branch, Tehran, Iran
    3. Department of Converging Sciences and Technologies, Islamic azad university, central Tehran branch, Tehran, Iran
    4. Department of Converging Sciences and Technologies, Islamic azad university, central Tehran branch, Tehran, Iran


  • Introduction: Cancer therapy has come a long way since its inception, and gene therapy is now one of the most revolutionary approaches. The highlight of this change is the cancer vectors which are intricate biological machines that transport the therapeutic genes into the cancer cells, thus, either changing their behavior or killing them. The experience of cancer vectors starting from initial experimental trials to current clinical applications shows a progress line constructed by creativity, problems, and crucial discoveries. Viral vectors, in particular, have the most clout among them, making up more than 60% of all gene therapy trials and serving as indispensable tools for tumor destruction and gene delivery. Nevertheless, there are still serious challenges that need to be tackled such as vector toxicity, immune responses, and off-target effects. The progressive scientific research has, however, seen the shift from vector development to vector refinements, delivery improvers, and non-viral alternatives. New technologies like oncolytic viruses, RNA-based therapies, and gene-modified T-cells have recently been discovered and indicate a new way of treating cancer. The combination of cancer biology, immunology, and biotechnology will form new therapies that can change personalized medicine and allow the patients to have better results. This review surveys past development, recent innovations, molecular methods, and new tendencies in cancer vector research. It also analyzes the problems that scientists and clinicians face in their relations as they try to balance the efficiency of treatment with safety while navigating through the complicated regulation system. In such a way, cancer vectors mean not only an indispensable future of the fight against cancer but also a proof of the power of precision medicine in molding tomorrow's oncology.
  • Methods: We conducted extensive research on the topic of Cancer Vectors: Navigating the Evolution, Challenges, and Future Prospects in Gene Therapy, gathering insights from 54 relevant articles. This comprehensive review allowed us to examine the current challenges, and cutting-edge innovations in cancer vector technology.
  • Results: Our review of Cancer Vectors Navigating the Evolution, Challenges, and Future Prospects in Gene Therapy uncovered several key points. The efficiency of cancer vectors has been considerably improved due to the development of precision molecular targeting, which minimizes the off-target effects and increases the therapeutic outcomes. Oncolytic viruses are currently one of the most powerful cancer treatment options, as they can specifically infect and kill cancer cells and provoke the immune system. Modular therapeutic methods like CRISPR/Cas or siRNA that have been developed allow the treatment to be personalized according to the specific cancer mutations. Stealth viral modifications and non-viral vectors have furthermore facilitated the development of immune evading strategies that result in longer circulation times and improved delivery. The future of cancer gene therapy is bright, with the trends such as precision oncology, AI integration, and global collaborations being the main drivers of the development of next-generation cancer vectors and more efficient integration with immunotherapies like CAR-T and checkpoint inhibitors.
  • Conclusion: The present extensive study on cancer vectors points out their significant role in the development of cancer gene therapy. The journey from the simple viral vectors to the sophisticated platforms, such as the oncolytic viruses and modular delivery systems, showcases the tremendous progress in achieving the exact targeting of the cancer cells and applying the appropriate treatment. In spite of the obstacles that come with immune evasion, vector delivery effectiveness, and safety issues, the latest discoveries in non-viral vectors, precision targeting, and personalized medicine can be the solution to these problems. The latest developments like the integration of artificial intelligence, the increasing popularity of immunotherapy and worldwide collaborative research clearly show the fast progress of cancer therapy. With the blending of gene therapies, immune modulation, and data-driven techniques, the sector is heading to a time of personalized and very efficient cancer treatments. This probing allows for the positioning of cancer vectors not just as a key player in the war against cancer, but also as a vehicle for more precise, safe, and curative therapies to be available in the near future.
  • Keywords: Cancer Vectors, Gene Therapy, Oncolytic Viruses, Precision Targeting, Immunotherapy