Successful gene therapy depends on the “bells and whistles” of the transgene delivery vectors, which ideally should not only deliver a large target transgene into mammalian cells, but also express the gene permanently. Among the current viral vectors, adenoviral (Ad) vectors and herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 (HSV-1) vectors have the capacity to deliver a large DNA segment (~150Kb) into cells but only enjoy transient transgene expression. On the other hand, adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors can integrate transgenes into mammalian cell genomes for long-term gene expression but can only pack DNA of a limited size (~4.5kb). It is increasingly ... Read more

Abstract: Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors have emerged in recent years as powerful tools for therapeutic gene transfer. Successes in clinical trials and the discovery of several hundreds of naturally occurring AAV isolates have triggered efforts to understand and manipulate this deceptively simple parvovirus for a myriad of gene therapy applications. Exciting breakthroughs based on directed evolution of novel tissue-specific variants from combinatorial AAV libraries have been reported. Recent approaches driven by the availability of structural information have yielded a new generation of reengineered AAV vectors. ... Read more

Abstract: Gene therapy for inherited retinal degeneration has made major advances toward the ultimate goal of reversing blindness in human patients. With significant advances in recombinant viral vector design, safety and efficacy profiles have greatly improved. Although these recent advances have been applied to many different retinal diseases, one retinal degenerative disease, Leber congenital amaurosis, appears to have the greatest potential for reversing blindness. In pre-clinical animal studies, gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis has demonstrated visual recovery. Recently, in landmark clinical trials, preliminary results have indicated safety and efficacy for the use of gene therapy in Leber congenital amaurosis, thus laying the foundation for continued use of gene therapy in other forms of inherited blinding disease. ... Read more

Abstract: Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy offers a new approach to treating some cancers. Clinical trials have been completed for brain and prostate cancers and the first product for post-surgical treatment of some brain tumors is awaiting marketing approval. Recent innovations provide a glimpse into the possible future evolution of a new gene medicine. ... Read more

Abstract: Despite the social stigma and manufacturing hurdles that come with using viruses as therapeutic tools, the molecular specificity offered by these bugs makes them too attractive to ignore. Still largely based on vaccines, viral vectors offer exciting tools to treat cancer or deliver specific genetic payloads to a desired tissue. Unfortunately, early clinical trials utilizing such vectors have been plagued with poor performance or even clinical toxicity most commonly associated with spurious genetic regulation and/or replication of the vector. Past efforts to control for unwanted toxicity have focused on modification of the receptor or use of tissue-specific genetic elements that added specificity to the transcriptional induction of the gene(s) of interest. While this has had some success, engineering receptors to control viral tropism often fails or results in a loss of replicative fitness. In addition, the use of tissue-specific promoter elements not only restricts the vector that can be used, bona fide small promoter elements are often not available for the desired target. With the caveats of viral vector-based therapeutics largely centered on a lack of in vivo control, the recent success of exploiting microRNA expression to limit viral tropism may breathe new life into the field. ... Read more

Abstract: The past few years have seen rapid advancements in vector-mediated gene transfer to the nervous system and modest successes in human gene therapy trials. The purpose of this review is to describe commonly-used viral gene transfer vectors and recent advancements towards producing meaningful gene-based treatments for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Gene therapy trials for Canavan disease, Batten disease, adrenoleukodystrophy, and Parkinson's disease are discussed to illustrate the current state of clinical gene transfer to the CNS. Preclinical studies are under way for a number of diseases, primarily lysosomal storage disorders, using a newer generation of vectors and delivery strategies. Relevant studies in animal models are highlighted for Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB and Krabbe disease to provide a prelude for what can be expected in the coming years for human gene transfer trials, using recent advancements in gene transfer technology. In conclusion, recent improvements in CNS gene transfer technology are expected to significantly increase the degree of disease rescue in future CNS-directed clinical trials, exceeding the modest clinical successes that have been observed so far. ... Read more

Abstract: Human gene therapy has made substantial progress since the initiation of the first clinical trials 20 years ago. Here, we summarized important applications of gene transfer protocols in the treatment of various human diseases using different viral vectors. Recent successful trials on the treatment of ocular diseases and inherited immune deficiencies are particularly encouraging and have raised hopes that human gene therapy as a standard treatment option will finally become a reality. While immune responses and insertional mutagenesis pose obstacles for this novel form of molecular medicine, continuous progress suggests that a wider range of diseases can be treated with gene therapy in the future. ... Read more

Abstract: Retinal gene therapy mediated by adeno-associated virus (AAV) based gene transfer was recently proven to improve photoreceptor function in one form of inherited retinal blinding disorder associated with mutations in the RPE65 gene. Several clinical trials are currently ongoing, and more than 30 patients have been treated to date. Even though only a very limited number of patients will greatly benefit from this still experimental treatment protocol, the technique itself has been shown to be safe and will likely be used in other retinal disorders in the near future. A canine model for achromatopsia has been treated successfully as well as mouse models for different forms of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). For patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP), a combined gene knockdown and gene addition therapy is being developed using RNA interference to block mRNA of the mutant allele. For those patients suffering from RP with unknown mutations, an AAV based transfer of bacterial forms of rhodopsin in the central retina might be an option to reactivate residual cones in the future. ... Read more

Abstract: Vectors based on recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) 2/8 hold considerable promise for use in human gene therapy. These vectors are safe, and have minimal immunostimulatory properties. Their combination with efficient, liver-specific promoters allows high-level transgene expression in the hepatocytes of small and large animals. In small animal models, this high level of liver expression results in tolerance to the transgene products. Tolerance to transgene products may also be achievable using these vectors for human gene therapy, but the HLA diversity (and thus variability in T cell recognition of transgene products) and high frequency of prior natural exposure to AAV in human populations impose additional challenges that must be overcome in order for this strategy to succeed. ... Read more

Abstract: Gene therapy holds a great promise to prevent allograft rejection or to induce transplant tolerance. Many achievements in vector development have allowed the progression of this therapy to become more attainable in clinical transplantation. In this articles, the authors examine the exciting development in various vector technologies that allows this form of therapy to take the central stage of clinical transplantation. Also highlighted are various therapeutic strategies that might ultimately result in the realization of gene-based treatment in clinical transplantation. ... Read more