Oncogenes, molecular medicine, and bone marrow transplantation.

Retroviruses are known to carry specific genes that are likely to be responsible for induction of the malignant phenotype in the cells they infect. These genes, termed viral oncogenes (v-onc), have subsequently been shown to be derived from highly conserved, normal cellular genes commonly referred to as proto-oncogenes (c-onc). Proto-oncogenes are thought to be intimately involved in the processes of cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, any c-onc amplification, mutation, structural alteration, or change in transcriptional regulation might lead to, or be associated with, induction of a malignant phenotype. Targeted disruption of these genes may therefore be of therapeutic value. We discuss the role of antisense DNA in carrying out such therapy.