Gene-therapy delivery strategies in cardiology.
Clinical gene-therapy approaches in cardiology have not fulfilled their promise in randomized, controlled trials, so far, despite striking effects in preclinical models. Lack of clinical success appears not to be related to an unexpected low potency of the therapeutic factors itself in humans, but has rather been attributed to limitations of the vector systems used to transfer the DNA, as well as application modes of the vector itself. Therefore, novel delivery strategies are required with increased efficiency and increased specificity. Recent improvements of vectors using targeting approaches in addition to the development of novel application strategies for cardiac or vascular gene transfer will improve gene delivery in future clinical approaches.
University Hospital Heidelberg, Internal Medicine III, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. oliver.mueller@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Oliver J
OJ
Müller
Jan
J
Ksienzyk
Hugo A
HA
Katus