Final answer:
There are four approaches to reintroduce tumor suppressor genes into the body: gene therapy using viral vectors, cell therapy with genetically altered cells, drug therapy to restore gene function, and CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to correct mutations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tumor suppressor genes serve as critical regulators of cell division and growth, ensuring that cellular proliferation is kept under strict control. When these genes function normally, they act like a cellular brake system, halting potential cancerous growth. However, mutations in these genes can lead to a loss of this regulatory function, akin to a car losing its brakes, resulting in uncontrolled cell division and cancer progression.
Methods to reintroduce tumor suppressor genes into the body to combat cancer include: Gene therapy, where a correct copy of the gene is delivered directly into cells using viral vectors or other delivery systems. Cell therapy, involving the transplantation of cells that have been genetically modified to express the tumor suppressor gene. Drug therapy, using molecules that can restore the function of the mutated gene or mimic its effects.