title: Gene therapy: regulations, ethics and its practicalities in liver disease.
abstract: Gene therapy is a new and promising approach which opens a new door to the treatment of human diseases. By direct transfer of genetic materials to the target cells, it could exert functions on the level of genes and molecules. It is hoped to be widely used in the treatment of liver disease, especially hepatic tumors by using different vectors encoding the aim gene for anti-tumor activity by activating primary and adaptive immunity, inhibiting oncogene and angiogenesis. Despite the huge curative potential shown in animal models and some pilot clinical trials, gene therapy has been under fierce discussion since its birth in academia and the public domain because of its unexpected side effects and ethical problems. There are other challenges arising from the technique itself like vector design, administration route test and standard protocol exploration. How well we respond will decide the fate of gene therapy clinical medical practice.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Department, The First Affiliated Hospital, Medical School, Zhejiang University, No. 79 Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang Province, China.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Yi-Da
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: You-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D016896:Treatment Outcome