GENE-THERAPY FOR ISCHEMIC-HEART-DISEASE

Gene therapy techniques are being developed as potential treatments fo r dyslipidemias, coronary restenosis, and vein graft disease. Retrovir al and now adenoviral gene delivery techniques are being studied. A hu man protocol for the treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia has re cently been completed using ex vivo hepatic low-density lipoprotein re ceptor gene transfer via a retroviral vector. Work in most other areas is currently in the animal model stage. Significant progress has been made in the area of coronary restenosis, particularly in identifying target genes to reduce neointima formation, such as herpesvirus thymid ine kinase and the retinoblastoma gene, Work also continues in develop ing strategies to decrease neointima formation in vein grafts used in coronary bypass surgery and in improving methods of myocardial protect ion during surgery.