British scientists have started a trial to investigate if gene therapy can potentially take the place of heart transplants.
This study is unique because it is the first to research the use of gene therapy for heart patients kept alive by a LVAD. An LVAD is a left ventricular assist device. This device helps patients’ bodies pump blood while their hearts are not working properly.
A group of sixteen randomly selected patients will be treated with a gene that will help their hearts beat more strongly and closer to a healthy heart. Another group of eight other individuals will act as the control group and receive placebo therapy.
The therapy itself involves isolating a harmless altered virus and injecting it into the blood stream. This nonpathogenic virus will transport the new gene to the heart, where heart muscle cells may access it. This will hopefully elevate levels of a protein called SERCA2a, which is vital to the contraction of cardiac muscle.
Heart muscle will be taken and biopsied six months post-treatment to see if the gene is in fact present and functioning properly.
Since this treatment is not focused on correcting a gene defect, it is applicable in many different cases. Whether heart failure is caused by genetics, environmental factors, or lifestyle, this therapy will be equally beneficial. This is in contrast to many other gene therapies that focus only on correcting a specific mutant or defective gene.
This article was interesting to read mainly because of the versatility of this treatment. The fact that the researchers have developed a therapy that could treat such a wide variety of causes of heart failure is fascinating. I’ve never read about a blanket-type genetic treatment like this before. As with many gene therapy trials, this could offer hope to many people who are living with heart failure. Especially because the list for transplants is so long, and many people will pass away waiting for their chance. This treatment could be revolutionary.
Related Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140811124539.htm
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