Molecular targets of gene therapy

• Published in: The Annals of thoracic surgery Vol. 68; no. 5; pp. 1929 - 1933
• Main Authors: Das, Dipak K, Engelman, Richard M, Maulik, Nilanjana, Rousou, John A, Flack, Joseph E, Deaton, David W
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.11.1999; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Coronary heart disease; Gene Transfer Techniques; Genetic Therapy; Heart; Humans; Medical sciences; Myocardial Ischemia - genetics; Myocardial Ischemia - therapy; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury - genetics; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury - therapy; Transduction, Genetic; Human; Treatment efficiency; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary heart disease; Myocardial disease; Vascular disease; Prevention; Reperfusion; Treatment; Gene; Ischemia; Myocardium; Complication; Lesion; Technique; Gene therapy; Protection
• ISSN: 0003-4975; 1552-6259
• DOI: 10.1016/S0003-4975(99)01015-2

Ischemic reperfused heart represents a potential target for gene therapy because gene transfer can represent an alternate pharmacological approach to protect the heart from cellular injury. Gene therapy may be particularly useful to deal with previously unapproachable problems. For myocardial preservation, gene therapy could replace those pharmacological interventions when drugs are delivered locally by sustained release with the help of mechanical device, eg, implants. In this review, attempts are made to define the molecular targets for gene therapy primarily applicable to myocardial preservation associated with ischemia and reperfusion. It has been emphasized that for successful gene transfer, not only characterization of proper targets and elimination of undesirable side effects are necessary, but also the therapy must be proven superior compared to other pharmacological interventions including surgery.