Orthopaedic Gene Therapy: Twenty-Five Years On

Abstract

»: Orthopaedics pioneered the expansion of gene therapy beyond its traditional scope of diseases that are caused by rare single-gene defects. Orthopaedic applications of gene therapy are most developed in the areas of arthritis and regenerative medicine, but several additional possibilities exist.

»: Invossa, an ex vivo gene therapeutic for osteoarthritis, was approved in South Korea in 2017, but its approval was retracted in 2019 and remains under appeal; a Phase-III clinical trial of Invossa has restarted in the U.S.

»: There are several additional clinical trials for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis that could lead to approved gene therapeutics for arthritis.

»: Bone-healing and cartilage repair are additional areas that are attracting considerable research; intervertebral disc degeneration and the healing of ligaments, tendons, and menisci are other applications of interest. Orthopaedic tumors, genetic diseases, and aseptic loosening are additional potential targets.

»: If successful, these endeavors will expand the scope of gene therapy from providing expensive medicines for a few patients to providing affordable medicines for many.