ADENOVIRUS FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES - IN-VIVO STRATEGIES AND EX-VIVO GENE-THERAPY USING HUMAN NEURAL PROGENITORS

The discovery of major neurodegenerative mechanisms has opened the way to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Gene therapy now enables researchers to overcome certain problems inherent to pharmacot herapy and to the grafting of embryonic cells. The production of recom binant adenoviruses are promising for in vivo gene therapy involving n europrotective (Ad-SOD), neurotrophic (Ad-NGF) as well as restorative (Ad-TH) strategies. In addition, human neural progenitors offer great potential as vehicles for ex vivo gene therapy to replace degenerated cells in advanced stages of neurodegenerative diseases. This paper des cribes the clinical Value of the new generations of adenoviral vectors . (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.