Gene therapy in peripheral artery disease.
In the last decade, studies of the biological mechanisms underlying angiogenesis, i.e. the development of a new vasculature from pre-existing blood vessels, have suggested a new approach to peripheral obstructive artery disease based on the treatment of ischemic tissues with angiogenic growth factors. As demonstrated by experimental studies in animal models, a therapeutic effect can be reached as the newly formed vascular network, functioning as a biologic by-pass, restores a normal blood supply to the ischemic territories. New techniques of gene therapy proved effective in reaching sustained concentrations of angiogenic factors in the target tissues. This review concerns the pre-clinical background and the results of the early clinical trials of angiogenic gene therapy, which have shown the safety and feasibility of this new approach.
Melillo
G
G
Department of Vascular Surgery and Vascular Pathology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, IRCCS, Rome, Italy. melillo@idi.it
Serino
F
F
Cirielli
C
C
Capogrossi
M C
MC
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*