Gene therapy progress and prospects: electroporation and other physical methods.
Over the last 5 years, physical methods of plasmid delivery have revolutionized the efficiency of nonviral gene transfer, in some cases reaching the efficiencies of viral vectors. In vivo electroporation dramatically increases transfection efficiency for a variety of tissues. Other methods with clinical precedent, pressure-perfusion and ultrasound, also improve plasmid gene transfer. Alternatives such as focused laser, magnetic fields and ballistic (gene gun) approaches can also enhance delivery. As plasmid DNA appears to be a safe gene vector system, it seems likely that plasmid with physically enhanced delivery will be used increasingly in clinical trials.
Wells
D J
DJ
Gene Targeting Unit, Department of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Division of Neuroscience and Psychological Medicine, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital, St Dunstan's Road, London, UK.
D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids