Gene therapy for viral hepatitis.
Hepatitis B and C infections are two of the most prevalent viral diseases in the world. Existing therapies against chronic viral hepatitis are far from satisfactory due to low response rates, undesirable side effects and selection of resistant viral strains. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. This review, after briefly summarising the in vitro and in vivo systems for the study of both diseases and the genetic vehicles commonly used for liver gene transfer, examines the existing status of gene therapy-based antiviral strategies that have been employed to prevent, eliminate or reduce viral infection. In particular, the authors focus on the results obtained in clinical trials and experimental clinically relevant animal models.
Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza
Gloria
G
University of Navarra, Division of Gene Therapy and Hepatology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain. ggasegui@unav.es
Crettaz
Julien
J
Ochoa
Laura
L
Otano
Itziar
I
Aldabe
Rafael
R
Paneda
Astrid
A
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D006524:Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans