The present invention provides a method for the treatment of lung cancer through the use of a recombinant gene therapy vector having a transgene encoding interferon. In particular it is noted that interferon when expressed by a recombinant gene therapy vectors possesses properties not associated with exogenously-manufactured interferon proteins. The present disclosure thus provides a method useful in the treatment of lung tumors such as mesothelioma, using a recombinant gene therapy vector having a transgene encoding interferon.