The evolving role of gene-based treatment in surgery.
BACKGROUND
The completion of the sequencing of the human genome in 2003 marked the dawn of a new era of human biology and medicine. Although these remarkable scientific advances improve the understanding of human biology, the question remains how this rapidly expanding knowledge of functional genomics affects the role of surgeons. This article reviews the potential therapeutic application of gene therapy for various surgical conditions.


METHODS
The core of this review was derived from a Medline database literature search.


CONCLUSIONS
The currently available vectors in the field of gene therapy and their limitations for clinical applications were analysed. The achievements of gene therapy in clinical trials and the future ramifications for surgery were also explored. Whether gene therapy takes a major role in surgical practice will depend greatly on the success of future vector development. Advances in viral vector technology to reduce the inflammatory effect, and improvements in the efficiency of gene delivery using non-viral vector technology, would allow this form of therapy to become more clinically applicable.
Tan
P H
PH
Department of Surgery, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, Aylesbury, UK. ptan@imperial.ac.uk
Chan
C L H
CL
Chan
C
C
George
A J T
AJ
D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014180:Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods