Gene Therapy Shows Promise for Rare Immune Disorder

Studies have shown that a new gene therapy may benefit kids and young adults that suffer from Wiskott- Aldrich syndrome.  This disorder can be characterized by a low blood platelet count and symptoms include eczema and recurring infections.  Most people who have Wiskott- Aldrich syndrome die in their 20's or 30's.  Seven children who have Wiskott- Aldrich syndrome were given a  gene therapy treatment and studied for several months.  The gene therapy involved having the patient's own stem blood cells taken, correcting the faulty gene, and injected back into the patient.  Six of the seven patients found milder eczema and less infections, while the seventh patient died due to a preexisting infection.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2015/04/22/gene-therapy-shows-promise-for-rare-immune-disorder

I find that this research is very important for genetic diseases.  Although this gene therapy is specified for one autoimmune disorder, it may show promise for other diseases. In this gene therapy, the mutation on the WAS gene on the X chromosome is corrected in the stem blood cells and injected back into the patient.  Perhaps another genetic disorder with a gene mutation found on the X chromosome can be corrected using this gene therapy.