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.
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.
D J
DJ
Wells
D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D010957:Plasmids