Articles tagged with Gene Therapy
Researchers discovered that human cells deficient in LRP6 become resistant to anthrax toxin, while antibodies targeting LRP6 protect cells from toxicity. This finding suggests potential new avenues for treating late-stage anthrax disease.
Scientists at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have created a new lipid molecule that delivers therapeutic genes directly to cells, potentially helping inherited diseases and cancers. The novel molecule has a tree-shaped headgroup and displays superior DNA-delivery properties.
A research group identified 679 genes differently expressed in responders to chemotherapy compared to non-responders. RT-PCR analysis validated the findings, confirming the differential expression of 22 genes. The study suggests integrating molecular networks could improve diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer.
Researchers replaced a faulty gene responsible for hemophilia with a transposon from fish, preventing profuse bleeding in neonatal mice. The approach holds promise for treating the most common form of hemophilia, affecting nearly 18,000 Americans.
Defibrillator therapy found to be beneficial in reducing the risk of sudden cardiac death and prolonging life among patients with high-risk genetic cardiac disorders. The treatment is associated with significant cost savings, ranging from $15,000 to $20,000 per quality-adjusted-life-year saved.
Researchers at Florida State University have identified a gene called BDNF as playing a key role in social aversion, leading to the development of a potential new treatment for depression. Long-term use of antidepressants was successful in reversing social withdrawal, but a gene therapy approach showed promise with fewer side effects.
Researchers have identified a key gene associated with rare but important pregnancy disorders, including molar pregnancies, spontaneous abortions, and stillbirths. The discovery has significant implications for developing new treatments and therapies for these conditions.
A study of 626 patients found that Black patients on HAART had a lower risk of atheroma than White and Hispanic patients. Genetic variants were associated with dyslipidemia in Hispanic patients, but not in others.
A new lentiviral vector combines multiple gene manipulation techniques to efficiently regulate gene expression in cells. This versatile tool has potential applications in studying human genetic diseases, cancer research, and tissue engineering.
A saltwater aerosol solution has been found to restore the thin lubricant layer on airway surfaces, promoting mucus clearance and reducing lung damage in cystic fibrosis patients. The therapy is inexpensive and shows promise for slowing disease progression and improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a gene therapy that turns off the alpha-synuclein protein, a key player in Parkinson's disease. The therapy uses RNA interference to selectively disable the gene, leaving other genes unaffected, and has shown promising results in rat models.
The study illustrates 12 disease pairs and their therapeutic implications, including the use of severe caloric or protein restriction to treat diseases such as kidney failure and morbid obesity. Researchers propose considering genetic, infectious, and metabolic influences when looking for treatments, particularly in regard to HIV/AIDS.
A major gene therapy advance for treating Parkinson's disease has been funded by the Fox Foundation grant, with RheoGene Inc. developing a technology to manage gene expression. The therapy uses a patented small-molecule mediator to turn genes on or off, offering a potential solution to replacing lost dopamine in the brain.
Researchers used gene therapy to introduce a healthy copy of the dystrophin gene into mice with muscular dystrophy, repairing the entire muscle cell. The technique, developed by Michele Calos, has potential for long-term fixes for various genetic diseases.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center have successfully treated sickle cell disease in human models using stem cell-based gene therapy with RNA interference. The treatment corrected the production of abnormal hemoglobin and restored normal blood flow, offering new hope for patients.
Cedars-Sinai researchers have developed a new delivery system that can effectively regulate therapeutic gene expression, overcoming obstacles in bringing genetic therapies to humans. The system allows for the flexibility to turn gene expression on or off, even in the presence of an immune response, making it a critical tool for treatin...
Research confirms that individuals with a specific PTPN22 polymorphism are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, with anti-CCP antibodies also playing a key role. The combination of these factors strongly predicts the onset of RA with a specificity of 100% for the disease.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia developed a novel technique to attach therapeutic genes to bare metal stents, reducing inflammation and restenosis. The study used animal models and found significantly lower restenosis with the new stents compared to conventional ones.
Scientists have identified 570 genes associated with Parkinson's disease, which could lead to the development of new treatments. The study analyzed brains from 23 patients and found that limiting the activity of these genes may help control or even stop the progression of the disease.
Researchers have found that Sangamo's ZFN-modified cells are resistant to HIV infection, whereas control cells are infected. The treatment works by disrupting the CCR5 gene, a receptor required for HIV entry into immune cells. This approach has advantages over other drugs in development, which require constant antagonist presence.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have made a breakthrough discovery about the role of miRNA-1 in the early stages of heart development. They found that miR-1 helps determine heart progenitor cells and maintain them until later embryonic stages, which could lead to new strategies for cardiac regenerative medicine.
Researchers have successfully treated hereditary spastic paraplegia by delivering a normal paraplegin protein to spinal motor neurons via gene therapy. This approach improved motor function in mice and holds promise for treating other forms of peripheral nerve damage caused by genetic mutations.
Research reveals that highly stimulated brain cells reactivate dormant survival genes, making them healthier and more resilient. This discovery holds implications for developing therapies to halt neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as mitigating the effects of maternal substance abuse on unborn babies.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a human DNA-associated protein called LEDGF that controls where HIV integrates into human chromosomes. This finding has significant implications for improving the design of gene-therapy delivery systems.
A study of 5,700 patients found that carriers of a specific genetic variation had a 43% higher risk of death, heart attack, or stroke. The research aims to tailor drugs to individual patients based on their genetic makeup, potentially leading to safer and more effective treatments.
Researchers have engineered mice to respond to a therapy that lowers beta amyloid production, which forms senile plaques in the brain. Early treatment may be crucial in preventing plaque growth and improving outcomes for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that exercise combined with gene therapy significantly extended the lifespan of mice with ALS, averaging 210 days, compared to 120 days in untreated mice. Early exercise initiation also improved outcomes, suggesting a potential strategy for slowing disease progression.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered a new gene marker, ERG, that signals an aggressive form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) requiring intensive therapy. High ERG activity is associated with poor relapse and survival rates in AML patients with normal cytogenetics.
Dr. Robbins' research focuses on understanding the cellular functions of the heart and identifying genes associated with heart disease. He has developed genetically modified laboratory models to study the connection between protein mutations and heart disease.
Researchers have identified a specific FCGR3A-FCGR3B haplotype associated with an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. Homozygous individuals with this haplotype are three times more likely to develop RA, and those with the shared epitope protein sequence have a 10 times higher risk.
New treatments for Leber congenital amaurosis have been developed in mice, providing effective means of restoring retinal function. The treatments combine gene therapy and oral administration of vitamin A-like compounds, showing promise for treating this blindness-causing eye disease.
Researchers have successfully tested combining two treatments to restore retinal function in a mouse model of human inherited blindness. The combination of oral retinoids and gene therapy offers effective means for treating this devastating disease, with potential applications for wider age ranges of patients.
Researchers developed a gene therapy using adeno-associated virus (AAV-8) to deliver a normal copy of the delta-sarcoglycan gene to skeletal and cardiac muscle cells. The treatment showed remarkable improvements in muscle function, structure, and endurance in hamsters with muscular dystrophy.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has joined forces with advocacy groups to fund research on autism susceptibility genes. The initiative aims to expand knowledge of the genetic factors involved in autism and develop targeted therapies.
Researchers found that gene therapy using manganese superoxide dismutase plasmid liposome (MnSOD-PL) protected healthy tissue from damage during and after radiation retreatment. The therapy significantly improved survival rates and reduced side effects in lung cancer patients.
Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have developed a new gene therapy technique that permanently corrects genetic diseases like PKU by inserting genes into specific sequences between existing genes. The technique was tested on mice and successfully cured the disease with just three intravenous injections.
Researchers found that specific versions of the TGFb1 gene are linked to worse lung disease in cystic fibrosis patients. The study's large size and robust design enabled scientists to identify a potential target for improving CF therapy.
Researchers discovered that KLF2 regulates embryonic globin genes and maturation of red blood cells in a mouse model, potentially paving the way for future gene therapies. The study highlights the importance of understanding gene regulation in blood disorders like sickle cell anemia and beta-thalassemia.
Researchers identify 64 genes used to separate breast cancer patients with good and poor prognoses. The technique of DNA microarray analysis could help predict patient response to adjuvant therapy, avoiding unnecessary treatments.
Researchers identified genetic signatures that predicted patient prognosis and response to treatment, outperforming existing clinical markers. The technique of DNA microarray analysis holds promise for developing new prediction methods, sparing patients from unnecessary treatments.
A recent study found that variations in the beta-2 gene significantly determine length of survival for acute coronary syndrome patients on beta-blockers. High-risk groups had a five times higher risk of death, while low-risk groups had a six percent mortality rate after three years.
Researchers develop gene therapy that increases atrial natriuretic peptide production to control blood pressure without severely reducing it. The therapy successfully maintained healthy blood pressure levels for 125 days in mice.
A study found that certain gene variants, specifically ADRB2 genotypes, are associated with a higher risk of mortality in patients taking beta-blocker therapy for heart conditions. The researchers identified specific genotype groups at high risk for long-term mortality and suggested pharmacogenetic targeting to improve ACS care.
The Phase I trial demonstrated the treatment's safety and efficacy in advanced Parkinson's disease, with statistically significant improvements in motor function and activities of daily living. The gene therapy approach offers a simpler alternative to deep brain stimulation, avoiding devices and requiring local anesthesia.
The Mayo team invented a simpler method for using modified viruses to transport therapeutic genes to tumors. They demonstrated that retrovirus particles could successfully attach to T cells and safely hitchhike to reach tumors, transferring genes that infected cancer cells.
Researchers have developed RNA nanoparticles that can carry multiple therapeutic agents into specific cancer cells, where they can halt viral growth or cancer progression. The tiny particles are assembled from three short pieces of ribonucleic acid and possess the right size and structure to gain entry into cells.
Researchers found that smokers with specific genetic variants were more likely to abstain from smoking if using Zyban, while those with other variants had higher quit rates with nicotine replacement therapy. The study suggests that genetic information can be used to select the most effective treatment for individual smokers.
Researchers at the University of Iowa developed a new gene therapy vector that can effectively deliver therapeutic genes to liver cells, converting Hemophilia A from a severe to a mild form in mice. The correction lasted 30 weeks and showed promise for reducing bleeding episodes in people with hemophilia.
Researchers developed a large brain tumor model and tested a genetically engineered virus delivering two proteins to the brain. The findings show that combined RAdTK and RAdFlt3L gene therapy eliminated glioblastoma multiforme in lab rats, increasing survival rates significantly.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have successfully treated animals with muscular dystrophy using a miniature gene and new systemic approach, demonstrating significant improvements in muscle function and longevity. The treatment involves delivering a mini-agrin gene via adeno-associated virus vectors, restoring...
A collaborative project developed a way to study the function of genes in mice and humans using a moveable genetic element from moths. The technique, called piggyBac, allows for efficient genetic manipulation in vertebrates and mammals, enabling researchers to systematically understand the functions of mammalian genes.
Researchers at UCLA have identified Rpe65 as a crucial enzyme in the regeneration of rhodopsin visual pigment in the retina after light exposure. This breakthrough could lead to a gene therapy cure for Leber congenital amaurosis, an inherited disease causing up to 20% of childhood blindness.
Researchers have achieved a cure for haemophilia in dogs using gene transfer strategies. The study identified key problems to overcome before applying this approach in humans, including mode of delivery.
Scientists at the University of Florida have developed a gene therapy that prevents blindness in mice with retinoschisis, a rare genetic disorder. The treatment involves injecting a healthy version of the human RS1 gene to prevent cyst formation and restore vision in affected eyes.
Scientists have discovered a way to treat Huntington's disease by targeting multiple proteins and genetic pathways simultaneously. This breakthrough has the potential to provide new hope for patients with this devastating neurodegenerative disorder.
A recent study suggests that Cyr61 gene therapy may be effective in treating severe myocardial ischemic disease by inducing the growth of new blood vessels. The research found potent stimulation of myocardial angiogenesis, a novel gene therapeutic approach, using Cyr61 in a porcine model of chronic myocardial ischemia.
Researchers have successfully applied a novel PET/CT technique to characterize the effects of a gene therapy intervention in animal models, demonstrating its potential for improving cardiac health. The study showed that successful transfer of a VEGF gene resulted in increased tissue perfusion without impairing cardiac function.
Researchers successfully introduced a gene that blocks joint inflammation, reducing IL-1 and IL-6 production. The study's nine patients showed no clinical side effects after five years, paving the way for new gene-based therapies.
The researchers developed a nebulized and inhaled gene therapy that reverses PAH in rats by inhibiting Survivin, a protein driving excessive cell growth. The therapy improves heart function and survival rates, offering promising avenues for human PAH treatment.
Researchers used disabled retroviruses to discover genes that increase the multiplication rate of stem cells, which could improve regenerative medicine. The study found that these genes can be used to enhance the fitness of stem cells, potentially leading to new treatments for inherited blood disorders.