Interleukins: the search for an anticancer therapy

OBJECTIVES

To review each of the interleukins, identify their common toxic effects, and highlight the potential role of interleukins in cancer therapy.

DATA SOURCES

Research articles, abstracts, review articles, and book chapters related to interleukins.

CONCLUSIONS

Interleukins play a key role in coordinating complex immune defense mechanisms against microbe invasion and cancer. The process of genetic engineering has made an increasing number of these interleukins available as biopharmaceuticals for evaluation of their potential roles as a cancer therapeutic agent.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nurses are challenged to understand and manage better both common and unusual side effects of interleukin therapies and provide appropriate patient and family education.

Gene therapy: current strategies and future applications

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To provide a brief introduction to gene therapy, including gene transfer methods and safety issues, as well as the role of nursing in gene therapy. To identify current applications of gene therapy in oncology.

DATA SOURCES

Published articles, book chapters, and the author's experience with the care of patients receiving gene therapy.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Gene therapy is used to add a new function to cells or to label cells for future identification. Presently, gene transfer is accomplished primarily through safety-modified retroviral vectors. A variety of innovative gene therapy approaches currently are being investigated in clinical trials, but no outcomes have been reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Gene therapy is a new, rapidly-evolving investigational modality with promising applications in the treatment of patients with brain, skin, kidney, and other cancers and patients who are undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

NURSING IMPLICATIONS

Gene therapy is an investigational modality in phase I clinical trials that requires thorough patient care planning and patient monitoring for unexpected side effects. There is an increasing need for nurses to understand gene therapy so that they can educate patients and families.

Preparing nurses for clinical trials: the cancer center approach

How do you prepare the nursing staff for the implementation of a new phase I drug protocol? It is the nursing educator who assists the staff nurses to competently and confidently learn to provide direct care and support to patients in clinical trials. Preparation of the nursing staff involves an analysis of the proposed study's impact on nursing, orientation of the study, periodic updates, specialized training if necessary, and facilitation of patient teaching.