This detailed volume explores the methods used for most of the recent approaches to suicide gene therapy of cancer, which exploits promoters that are specific to cancer cells, thereby ensuring (or greatly increasing the likelihood) that the therapeutic gene is expressed only in cancer cells. The book also contains chapters describing methods to improve the safety of cell therapy and techniques utilizing bone marrow mesenchymal cells. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step—by—step, readily reproducible laboratory prools, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Suicide Gene Therapy: Methods and Prools serves as an ideal guide for researchers expanding upon our knowledge and application of this vital form of cancer therapy.