Genetic medicines: treatment strategies for hereditary disorders.

Publication Type Review
Authors O'Connor T, Crystal R
Journal Nat Rev Genet
Volume 7
Issue 4
Pagination 261-76
Date Published 04/01/2006
ISSN 1471-0056
Keywords Genetic Diseases, Inborn, Genetic Therapy, Genetics, Medical
Abstract The treatment of the more than 1,800 known monogenic hereditary disorders will depend on the development of 'genetic medicines' - therapies that use the transfer of DNA and/or RNA to modify gene expression to correct or compensate for an abnormal phenotype. Strategies include the use of somatic stem cells, gene transfer, RNA modification and, in the future, embryonic stem cells. Despite the efficacy of these technologies in treating experimental models of hereditary disorders, applying them successfully in the clinic is a great challenge, which will only be overcome by expending considerable intellectual and economic resources, and by solving societal concerns about modifications of the human genetic repertoire.
DOI 10.1038/nrg1829
PubMed ID 16543931
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