Erlinda M. Gordon

By Frederick L. Hall and Erlinda M. Gordon

This unique “PERSPECTIVE” on Targeted Genetic Medicine for Cancer represents the third manuscript in a series of medical oncology papers by gene therapy pioneers, Gordon and Hall, a combined medical oncologist’s and layman’s trilogy recorded with the following intents and purposes: (i) documenting significant milestones in clinical oncology for the medical community, (ii) honoring forthright principles of “Informed Consent” for the advanced/refractory oncology patient, and (iii) confronting logical fallacies of popular opinion, in light of recent critical analyses of long-term cancer-free survival data. As with the two previous historical “perspectives,” the authors present noteworthy up-to-date clinical research documenting the successful management of refractory metastatic cancers with tumor-targeted gene therapy vectors—validating “Pathotropic” (disease-seeking) tumor targeting Avant la Lettre. This paper provides additional insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of both tumor-targeting and tumor-eradication. As with the prior two papers, the authors utilize the revealing powers of allegory and classic literature, adding shared iconic cinematic experiences of postmodernism at times, to educate, inform, and convey the formidable yet verifiable and important hard-core science (that is, the fundamental chemistries, biophysics, molecular biology, genetics, stem cell biology, regulatory biology, synthetic virology, tumor immunology, clinical oncology, bio-pharmacology, histopathology, and cancer gene therapy) embodied within the “smart” therapeutic nanoparticle, DeltaRex-G: a refined “primal-hunter” & “tumor-killer” that actively seeks out the cryptic/hidden “Biochemical (Jailbreak) Signatures” of metastatic cancers, delivers targeted gene therapy “precisely”totumor cells, and ultimately eradicates both primary and metastatic lesions, including lymphatic metastases. Accomplishment of the “DeltaRex-G Rescue-Mission of 2019” with updated FDA regulatory approvals and sustainable/scalable cGMP bioproduction is considered opportune—while the Right-to-Try experimental therapies legislation in the United States comes face-to-face with the U.S. FDA approval of Expanded Access for DeltaRex-G for advanced pancreatic cancer and sarcoma, and compassionate use for all solid tumors—as such, the authors embrace the legitimate rights of the cancer patient to be more fully informed of such beneficial treatments currently available in the United States.

Part of the book: Our Journey Beyond Sunset Boulevard

By Erlinda M. Gordon, Nicole L. Angel, Ted T. Kim, Don A. Brigham, Sant P. Chawla and Frederick L. Hall

The rational design of immunotherapeutic agents has advanced with a fundamental understanding that both innate and adaptive immunity play important roles in cancer surveillance and tumor destruction; given that oncogenesis occurs and cancer progresses through the growth of tumor cells with low immunogenicity in an increasingly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Checkpoint inhibitors in the form of monoclonal antibodies that block cancer’s ability to deactivate and evade the immune system have been widely indicated for a variety of tumor types. Through targeting the biological mechanisms and pathways that cancer cells use to interact with and suppress the immune system, immunotherapeutic agents have achieved success in inhibiting tumor growth while eliciting lesser toxicities, compared to treatments with standard chemotherapy. Development of “precise” bio-active tumor-targeted gene vectors, biotechnologies, and reagents has also advanced. This chapter presents ongoing clinical research involving immune checkpoint inhibitors, while addressing the clinical potential for tumor-targeted gene blockade in combination with tumor-targeted cytokine delivery, in patients with advanced metastatic disease, providing strategic clinical approaches to precision cancer immunotherapy.

Part of the book: Advances in Precision Medicine Oncology