gene therapy

Gene Therapy For Chronic Pain Gets First Test In People

admin — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:00:05 -0500

Scientists have launched a phase 1 clinical trial to test whether a pain-relieving gene can be sent to a key point in the nervous system and block pain sensation. The technique promises a more effective, targeted way to treat persistent pain than present painkillers.

Gene Therapy Prevents Blindness In An Animal Model Of Mitochondr...

admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:45:05 -0500

Scientists have created an animal model suitable for testing and validating gene therapies for treatment of a common mitochondrial dysfunction that causes loss of vision.

New Gene Therapy Kills Pancreatic Cancer Cells

admin — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:30:10 -0500

Researchers report promising results for a new chemoprevention gene therapy for preventing and treating pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal and treatment-resistant forms of cancer.

First DNA Molecule Made Almost Entirely Of Artificial Parts

admin — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:15:07 -0500

Chemists in Japan report development of the world's first DNA molecule made almost entirely of artificial parts. The finding could lead to improvements in gene therapy, futuristic nano-sized computers, and other high-tech advances, they say.

First Gene Therapy For Heart Failure Offered In Clinical Trials

admin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:30:23 -0500

Could injecting a gene into a patient with severe heart failure reverse their disabling and life-threatening condition? Physician-scientists are setting out to answer that question in a first-ever clinical trial of gene therapy to treat severe heart failure.

Stem Cell Researchers Demonstrate Safety Of Gene Therapy Using A...

admin — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:00:23 -0500

A new study provides evidence that methods using human bone marrow-derived stem cells to deliver gene therapy to cure diseases of the blood, bone marrow and certain types of cancer do not cause the development of tumors or leukemia.

Gene Therapy Improves Vision In Patients With Congenital Retinal...

admin — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Researchers have used gene therapy to safely restore vision in three young adults with a rare form of congenital blindness -- Leber congenital amaurosis. Although the patients have not achieved normal eyesight, the preliminary results set the stage for further studies of an innovative treatment for this and possibly other retinal diseases.

Clearer Day For Gene Therapy: New Vector Carries Big Genes Linke...

admin — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:00:00 -0500

For some inherited diseases, one barrier to successful gene therapy is that a commonly used vector (package into which the curative gene is placed) cannot accommodate the large size of the curative gene. However, a newly developed vector derived from the AAV5 form of adeno-associated virus has been used to successfully carry large genes into cells and to improve eye function in a mouse model of an inherited disease causing progressive loss of sight.

Gene Therapy For Addiction: Flooding Brain With 'Pleasure Chemic...

admin — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:00:00 -0500

Increasing the brain level of receptors for dopamine, a pleasure-related chemical, can reduce use of cocaine by 75 percent in rats trained to self-administer it. Earlier research had similar findings for alcohol intake. Treatments that increase levels of these chemicals -- dopamine D2 receptors -- may prove useful in treating addiction.

Safer Gene Therapy May Be Possible Using Novel Approach

admin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:00:00 -0500

A novel strategy for circumventing safety problems that have plagued gene therapy has been offered by a complex multicenter group of researchers. The study reports that adenovirus type 5, a common vector for delivering gene therapy, transfects liver cells by a different mechanism than previously thought. That mechanism offers a new target for modifying the viral vector to make it safe for clinical use.