Gene therapy: Myth or reality?

Abstract

Gene therapy has become a reality, although still a fragile one. Clinical benefit has been achieved over the last 17years in a limited number of medical conditions for which pathophysiological studies determined that they were favorable settings. They include inherited disorders of the immune system, leukodystrophies, possibly hemoglobinopathies, hemophilia B, and retinal dystrophies. Advances in the treatment of B-cell leukemias and lymphomas have also been achieved. Advances in vector development and possible usage of gene editing may lead to significant advances over the next years.

Keywords: Adeno-associated viruses; B-cell leukemia; Chimeric antigen receptors (CAR); Gene editing; Gene therapy; Immunodéficience combinée sévère; Leucémie des cellules B; Retroviruses; Récepteur d’antigène chimérique; Rétrovirus; Severe combined immunodeficiency; Thérapie génique; Virus adéno-déficient; Édition de gène.