title: Gene therapy: a brief review.
abstract: Gene therapy is no longer defined simply as gene replacement; today, it is better defined as any treatment involving genetic alteration of cells. As a result, its applications have grown enormously and continue to do so. The purpose of gene therapy--treatment of the underlying cause of disease--represents a fundamental break with all previous forms of therapy in the history of medicine. Within a relatively short period, gene therapy promises to be a major pharmacologic force, revolutionizing the practice of medicine.
authors.affiliation: American Association of Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Corporation of America, Louisville, Kentucky, 40213, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hess
mesh_terms: D015510:Clinical Medicine; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000628:therapy*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods; D007167:Immunotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines