Jack A. Roth

Cancer is a disease of genes. The genetic abnormalities in cancer cells present new targets for cancer treatment and prevention. The Gene Therapy Program at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has organized over 50 researchers with an interest in this exciting area of gene therapy. The program members include basic scientist and clinicians with interests including vector development, regulation of gene expression, functional genomics, and clinical trials. The mission of the Gene Therapy Program is to provide services for investigators by maintaining core facilities for vector production, awarding grants for novel pilot projects and sharing research ideas and findings worldwide. Membership in the Program is open to all investigators with an interest in gene therapy research.

Michael Andreeff

Vision

The major goals of the Human Cancer Gene Prevention and Therapy Program will be to enhance communication and collaboration among investigators and to develop new funding opportunities. One goal of the program is to obtain sufficient funding to set up a permanent endowment. This endowment would provide continuous funding for a Cancer Gene Therapy Institute. This would be “an institute without walls” that would be inclusive for all investigators with an interest in relaxed areas of research. The Human Cancer Gene Prevention and Therapy Program would be highly interactive with existing programs. It is likely that gene therapy research projects will develop in other programs and that these programs will seek expertise in gene therapy. We envision these specific goals: