The blueprints for the design of our body cells are our genes. From the time RNA and DNA were identified, many information have been discovered about how genes function and how they can be changed. It was also known that gene mutation may be caused by several environmental factors. For instance, faulty genes may deliver faulty messages to growing cells which may lead to mutations that affect the health seriously. Exposure to toxins, overexposure to the sun and smoking all cause harm to DNA that ends up to faulty genetic behavior.

 

As for mesothelioma, the environmental factor that led to this lethal cancer is exposure to asbestos. And a proven aggravating factor for the illness is smoking. Mesothelioma cancer may have many types of gene damage that contribute to its development and complicate any attempt to develop genetic science to prevent or cure the disease.

• Anti-angiogenesis is a form of gene therapy which involves introduction of genes into the body to prevent the growth of blood vessels that feed the tumor. Thus, the cancer is being starved and its growth slows down and eventually it dies.
• Cancer cells multiply fast. Gene therapy research is trying to produce a gene that "replaces" faulty gene to grow in cancer cells, therefore slowing or stopping the growth of tumors.
• Another approach is developing genes that are introduced to the body as replacements for the genes in cancer cells. The changed cells are made susceptible to certain forms of anti-cancer medication and the defense mechanism of those cells became useless. The so called "suicide cells" present themselves for elimination.

Using gene therapy for mesothelioma treatment is still undergoing thorough research. The principle of gene therapy aligns with cancer treatment but mesothelioma, being a "multifactoral" cancer, needs multi-faceted treatment. Gene therapy may be most effective when used in combination with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

A research in Germany amongst lab animals has shown positive results, using many gene alteration methods. According to the report, methoselioma tumors shrunk, the doubling of the mesothelioma cells took longer time following the treatment and there was 40% extension of life expectancy.

The Center for Biological Evaluation and Research (CBER), a department of FDA, is the one in charge to oversee the gene therapy research in the USA. Drug research firms have developed numerous products and were already submitted for review. As of yet, none has proceeded to the stage of clinical trial. FDA however stated that they are overseeing a rapidly increasing gene-related development and research in the USA.