PROSPECTIVES OF GENE-THERAPY IN ORTHOPEDI C DISEASES OF THE SPINE ANDTHE JOINTS

Rheumatoid degenerative conditions of the spine and other joints are m ost common in elderly patients. Data by the ''National Center for Heal th Statistics'' state that approximatly 500 in 1000 persons above 65 a re affected. Numbers for Germany should be in the same range. Although a lot of research has been dedicated to these conditions many of the actual causes remain unclear. There is consensus about the involvement of Interleukin-1 in the development of rheumatoid arthritis RA. Recen t results point towards a more refined understanding and a gene therap y approach utilizing synovial cells. The synovium will in this strateg y be the locus of drug (eg hormone) synthesis antagonizing the rheumat oid disease. We believe that this new approach will have a major impac t on the treatment of RA.