Cardiovascular gene delivery: The good road is awaiting

• Published in: Advanced drug delivery reviews Vol. 58; no. 4; pp. 604 - 629
• Main Authors: Brewster, L.P., Brey, E.M., Greisler, H.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 07.07.2006
• Subjects: Animals; Clinical Trials as Topic; Coronary Artery Disease - genetics; Coronary Artery Disease - therapy; Endothelial cell (EC); Endothelialization; Extracellular matrix (ECM); Gene delivery; Gene Transfer Techniques; Genetic Therapy - methods; Genetic Therapy - trends; Humans; Myointimal hyperplasia (IH); Neovascularization, Physiologic - genetics; Thrombosis; Treatment Outcome; Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC); Endothelialization; Gene delivery; Endothelial cell (EC); Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC); Extracellular matrix (ECM); Myointimal hyperplasia (IH); Thrombosis
• ISSN: 0169-409X; 1872-8294
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2006.03.002

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. Despite recent improvements in medical, operative, and endovascular treatments, the number of interventions performed annually continues to increase. Unfortunately, the durability of these interventions is limited acutely by thrombotic complications and later by myointimal hyperplasia followed by progression of atherosclerotic disease over time. Despite improving medical management of patients with atherosclerotic disease, these complications appear to be persisting. Cardiovascular gene therapy has the potential to make significant clinical inroads to limit these complications. This article will review the technical aspects of cardiovascular gene therapy; its application for promoting a functional endothelium, smooth muscle cell growth inhibition, therapeutic angiogenesis, tissue engineered vascular conduits, and discuss the current status of various applicable clinical trials.