Gene therapy viral vectors

Viral vectors Gene transfer Gene therapy... 

Viral-vectored gene insertions (e.g., gene therapy)... 

Niidome T, Huang L. Gene therapy progress and prospects non-viral vectors. Gene Ther 2002 9 1 647-1 652,... 

Morille M, Passirani C, Vonarbourg A, Clavreul A, Benoit IP. Progress in developing cationic vectors for non-viral systemic gene therapy against cancer. Biomaterials 2008 29 3477-3496. 

Presently, 1,260 gene-therapy trials are underway worldwide (Tables 1 and 2). For details see http // www.wiley.co.uk/genetherapy/clinical/. Almost three fourths of all trials are based on viral vectors. The vast majority of nonviral gene-therapy trials use naked/ plasmid DNA (18% of all gene-therapy trials). 

An important safety issue of viral vectors is whether or not the recombinant viruses are able to replicate in the infected cells. Replication of viral vectors is unwanted in most gene-therapy approaches. Therefore, replication-defective vectors have been designed, which are able to perform only one initial infectious cycle within the target cell. In addition, replication-competent vectors have been designed, which are able to productively infect the target cell and to spread in the target tissue. 

Gene-therapy Vectors. Table 2 List of most common therapeutic genes used in gene-therapy trials (viral and non viral vectors)... 

Fig. 1.11 Applications of LDHs as (A) non-viral vector in gene therapy for transfection of DNA to the cell nucleus, and (B) as matrix for enzymes immobilization in the development of biosensors.

Miller, A.D., The problem with cationic liposome/micelle-based non-viral vector systems for gene therapy, Current Medicinal Chemistry, 2003, 10, 1195-1211. 

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