scholarly journals Gene Therapy in the Management of Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Past, Present, and Future

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 846-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnold Melman ◽  
Kelvin P. Davies

In the past, many researchers considered viral vectors to be the most promising candidates to transfer genetic material into the corpora for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, at present, no viral vectors have progressed to human trials. In contrast, the use of naked gene therapy, a plasmid expressing the human Maxi-K potassium channel, is the only gene therapy treatment to be evaluated in clinical phase I trials to date. The success of these studies, proving the safety of this treatment, has paved the way for the development of future gene transfer techniques based on similar transfer methods, as well as novel treatment vectors, such as stem cell transfer.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7545
Author(s):  
Myriam Sainz-Ramos ◽  
Idoia Gallego ◽  
Ilia Villate-Beitia ◽  
Jon Zarate ◽  
Iván Maldonado ◽  
...  

Efficient delivery of genetic material into cells is a critical process to translate gene therapy into clinical practice. In this sense, the increased knowledge acquired during past years in the molecular biology and nanotechnology fields has contributed to the development of different kinds of non-viral vector systems as a promising alternative to virus-based gene delivery counterparts. Consequently, the development of non-viral vectors has gained attention, and nowadays, gene delivery mediated by these systems is considered as the cornerstone of modern gene therapy due to relevant advantages such as low toxicity, poor immunogenicity and high packing capacity. However, despite these relevant advantages, non-viral vectors have been poorly translated into clinical success. This review addresses some critical issues that need to be considered for clinical practice application of non-viral vectors in mainstream medicine, such as efficiency, biocompatibility, long-lasting effect, route of administration, design of experimental condition or commercialization process. In addition, potential strategies for overcoming main hurdles are also addressed. Overall, this review aims to raise awareness among the scientific community and help researchers gain knowledge in the design of safe and efficient non-viral gene delivery systems for clinical applications to progress in the gene therapy field.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-226
Author(s):  
Susan Sun ◽  
Sandra R. Montezuma

Inherited retinopathies are a group of genetic disorders that lead to blindness and/or vision impairment. Until now, treatment options for inherited retinopathies largely remained limited to supportive therapy. Gene therapy is an attractive therapeutic technique that allows repair of diseased genes, and it has shown success in vision improvement for patients affected by retinal disorders caused by genetic mutations. The US Food and Drug Administration approved the first gene therapy treatment for the eye, indicated for biallelic RPE65 mutation associated Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), in December of 2017. Additionally, results from other ongoing clinical trials could further establish gene therapy as the milestone treatment that plays a role in disease process reversal for inherited retinopathies. This review article provides an update on the status of gene therapy for treatment of a variety of retinopathies, including LCA, choroideremia, achromatopsia, Stargardt disease, X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, and X-linked retinoschisis. Furthermore, this article explores transport methods of the genetic material, as well as therapy-delivery approaches used in the clinical setting.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mizuho Sato-Dahlman ◽  
Christopher J. LaRocca ◽  
Chikako Yanagiba ◽  
Masato Yamamoto

Gene therapy with viral vectors has significantly advanced in the past few decades, with adenovirus being one of the most commonly employed vectors for cancer gene therapy. Adenovirus vectors can be divided into 2 groups: (1) replication-deficient viruses; and (2) replication-competent, oncolytic (OVs) viruses. Replication-deficient adenoviruses have been explored as vaccine carriers and gene therapy vectors. Oncolytic adenoviruses are designed to selectively target, replicate, and directly destroy cancer cells. Additionally, virus-mediated cell lysis releases tumor antigens and induces local inflammation (e.g., immunogenic cell death), which contributes significantly to the reversal of local immune suppression and development of antitumor immune responses (“cold” tumor into “hot” tumor). There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the host immune response may provide a critical boost for the efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy. Additionally, genetic engineering of oncolytic viruses allows local expression of immune therapeutics, thereby reducing related toxicities. Therefore, the combination of oncolytic virus and immunotherapy is an attractive therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. In this review, we focus on adenovirus-based vectors and discuss recent progress in combination therapy of adenoviruses with immunotherapy in preclinical and clinical studies.


1970 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-27
Author(s):  
Md Manjurul Karim

The concept of gene therapy involves the transfer of genetic material into a cell, tissue, or whole organ, with a view to curing a disease or at least improving the clinical status of a patient. Much of its success relies heavily on the development of an effective delivery system that is capable of efficient gene transfer in a variety of tissues, without causing any associated pathogenic effects. Viral vectors currently offer the best choice for efficient gene delivery, what has been discussed in this review article. Their performance and pathogenecity has been evaluated in animal models, and encouraging results form the basis for clinical trials to treat genetic disorders and acquired diseases. Despite some initial success in these trials, vector development remains a seminal concern for improved gene therapy technologies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/akmmcj.v3i1.10110 AKMMCJ 2012; 3(1): 24-27


Author(s):  
A. Dziaková ◽  
A. Valenčáková ◽  
E. Hatalová ◽  
J. Kalinová

Gene therapy is strategy based on using genes as pharmaceuticals. Gene therapy is a treatment that involves altering the genes inside body's cells to stop disease. Genes contain DNA- the code controlling body form and function. Genes that do not work properly can cause disease. Gene therapy replaces a faulty gene or adds a new gene in an attempt to cure disease or improve the ability of the body to fight disease. Gene therapy holds promise for treating a wide range of diseases, including cancer, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, diabetes, hemophilia and AIDS. Various types of genetic material are used in gene therapy; double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), plasmid DNA and antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASON). The success of gene therapy depends on assuring the entrance of the therapeutic gene to targeted cells without any form of biodegradation. Commonly used vectors in gene therapy are: adenoviruses (400 clinical studies; 23.8%), retroviruses (344 clinical studies; 20.5%), unenveloped/plasmid DNA (304 clinical studies, 17.7%), adenoassociated viruses (75 clinical studies; 4.5%) and others. In this paper, we have reviewed the major gene delivery vectors and recent improvements made in their design meant to overcome the issues that commonly arise with the use of gene therapy vectors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-56
Author(s):  
Hogir Saadi

Gene therapy can be described broadly as the transfer of genetic material to control a disease or at least to enhance a patient's clinical status. The transformation of viruses into genetic shuttles is one of the core principles of gene therapy, which will introduce the gene of interest into the target tissue and cells. To do this, safe strategies have been invented, using many viral and non-viral vector delivery. Two major methods have emerged: modification in vivo and modification ex vivo. For gene therapeutic approaches which are focused on lifelong expression of the therapeutic gene, retrovirus, adenovirus, adeno-associated viruses are acceptable. Non-viral vectors are much less successful than viral vectors, but because of their low immune responses and their broad therapeutic DNA ability, they have advantages. The addition of viral functions such as receptor-mediated uptake and nuclear translocation of DNA may eventually lead to the development of an artificial virus in order to improve the role of non-viral vectors. For human use in genetic conditions, cancers and acquired illnesses, gene transfer techniques have been allowed. The ideal delivery vehicle has not been identified, although the accessible vector systems are capable of transporting genes in vivo into cells. Therefore, only with great caution can the present viral vectors be used in human beings and further progress in the production of vectors is required. Current progresses in our understanding of gene therapy approaches and their delivery technology, as well as the victors used to deliver therapeutic genes, are the primary goals of this review. For that reason, a literature search on PubMed and Google Scholar was carried out using different keywords.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-173
Author(s):  
Saleha Rehman ◽  
Bushra Nabi ◽  
Faheem Hyder Pottoo ◽  
Sanjula Baboota ◽  
Javed Ali

: The neuropsychiatric illnesses have been enigmatic, with no effective treatment to date. The complexity and heterogeneity of psychiatric disorders are daunting for the development of novel treatment modalities. The conventional treatment approaches are less effective and are associated with several side effects, thus creating the need for the development of more innovative strategies. Since psychiatric disorders are known to exhibit genetic linkage, gene therapy has created an interest among the researchers worldwide. The delivery of nucleic acids is a complex process requiring the transport of genetic material across various intracellular and extracellular barriers to reach the target cells eliciting the transfection process. Therefore, the identification or development of the delivery system for nucleic acid delivery still remains the challenge. Viral vectors are quite effective but are associated with toxicity and side effects. With the rapid advancement in the field of nanotechnology, nanosized materials were identified to be the perfect candidate for nonviral vectors in gene delivery. The biggest advantage of nanoparticles is that their surface can be engineered in many possible ways to deliver the drugs directly to the target site. Although gene therapy has already been established as an innovative treatment modality for several neurological diseases, its use in psychiatry still warrants more investigations for its translation into clinical use. The present manuscript discusses the prospects of gene therapy in psychiatric disorders, their benefits, and pitfalls. The review embarks upon the importance of nanoparticle-based gene therapy for effective management of psychiatric disorders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jote T. Bulcha ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Hong Ma ◽  
Phillip W. L. Tai ◽  
Guangping Gao

AbstractThroughout its 40-year history, the field of gene therapy has been marked by many transitions. It has seen great strides in combating human disease, has given hope to patients and families with limited treatment options, but has also been subject to many setbacks. Treatment of patients with this class of investigational drugs has resulted in severe adverse effects and, even in rare cases, death. At the heart of this dichotomous field are the viral-based vectors, the delivery vehicles that have allowed researchers and clinicians to develop powerful drug platforms, and have radically changed the face of medicine. Within the past 5 years, the gene therapy field has seen a wave of drugs based on viral vectors that have gained regulatory approval that come in a variety of designs and purposes. These modalities range from vector-based cancer therapies, to treating monogenic diseases with life-altering outcomes. At present, the three key vector strategies are based on adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, and lentiviruses. They have led the way in preclinical and clinical successes in the past two decades. However, despite these successes, many challenges still limit these approaches from attaining their full potential. To review the viral vector-based gene therapy landscape, we focus on these three highly regarded vector platforms and describe mechanisms of action and their roles in treating human disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-165
Author(s):  
Manisha. B. Shinde ◽  
Dr. Archana D. Kajale ◽  
Dr. Madhuri A. Channawar ◽  
Dr. Shilpa R. Gawande

Gene therapy is the transfer of genetic material to cure a disease or at least to improve the clinical status of a patient. One of the basic concepts of gene therapy is to transform viruses into genetic shuttles, which will deliver the gene of interest into the target cells. Safe methods have been devised to do this, using several viral and non-viral vectors. Two main approaches emerged: in vivo modification and ex vivo modification. Retrovirus, adenovirus, adenoassociated virus are suitable for gene therapeutic approaches which are based on permanent expression of the therapeutic gene. Non-viral vectors are far less efficient than viral vectors, but they have advantages due to their low immunogenicity and their large capacity for therapeutic DNA. The most commonly used DNA virus vectors are based on adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses. An example of gene-knockout mediated gene therapy is the knockout of the human CCR5 gene in T-cells in order to control HIV infection. To improve the function of non-viral vectors, the addition of viral functions such as receptor mediated uptake and nuclear translocation of DNA may finally lead to the development of an artificial virus. Gene transfer protocols have been approved for human use in inherited diseases, cancers and acquired disorders. Although the available vector systems are able to deliver genes in vivo into cells, the ideal delivery vehicle has not been found. Thus, the present viral vectors should be used only with great caution in human beings and further progress in vector development is necessary.


2020 ◽  
pp. 153537022096598
Author(s):  
Uday K Baliga ◽  
David A Dean

Delivery of genetic material to tissues in vivo is an important technique used in research settings and is the foundation upon which clinical gene therapy is built. The lung is a prime target for gene delivery due to a host of genetic, acquired, and infectious diseases that manifest themselves there, resulting in many pathologies. However, the in vivo delivery of genetic material to the lung remains a practical problem clinically and is considered the major obstacle needed to be overcome for gene therapy. Currently there are four main strategies for in vivo gene delivery to the lung: viral vectors, liposomes, nanoparticles, and electroporation. Viral delivery uses several different genetically modified viruses that enter the cell and express desired genes that have been inserted to the viral genome. Liposomes use combinations of charged and neutral lipids that can encapsulate genetic cargo and enter cells through endogenous mechanisms, thereby delivering their cargoes. Nanoparticles are defined by their size (typically less than 100 nm) and are made up of many different classes of building blocks, including biological and synthetic polymers, cell penetrant and other peptides, and dendrimers, that also enter cells through endogenous mechanisms. Electroporation uses mild to moderate electrical pulses to create pores in the cell membrane through which delivered genetic material can enter a cell. An emerging fifth category, exosomes and extracellular vesicles, may have advantages of both viral and non-viral approaches. These extracellular vesicles bud from cellular membranes containing receptors and ligands that may aid cell targeting and which can be loaded with genetic material for efficient transfer. Each of these vectors can be used for different gene delivery applications based on mechanisms of action, side-effects, and other factors, and their use in the lung and possible clinical considerations is the primary focus of this review.


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