Mouthwashes As Gene Therapy For Leukoplakia

Filed in archive Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics on November 7, 2005

I have reported on the possibility of having probiotic oral care in the past. However, what Colagate Palmolive and Introgen wants to develop is totally revolutional: "to incorporate gene therapy - an exotic, experimental and so far largely unsuccessful form of medicine - into mouthwashes, gels and similar products to treat and prevent oral cancers".

Working with Colgate, Introgen will try to put the tumor suppressor genes into an oral product to treat leukoplakia, a precancerous condition characterized by lesions on the cheeks, gums or tongue. In some cases the lesions turn cancerous, usually after many years. Dr. Robert E. Sobol, Introgen's senior vice president for medical and scientific affairs, said an initial product would probably be a prescription drug that would require approval by the Food and Drug Administration. But he said he hoped eventually the product could be sold over the counter.

Source: Gene therapy in a Bottle of Mouthwash from New York Times.