Gene therapy strategies for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases have made major advances in recent years. This review focuses on adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector approaches to treat retinal degeneration and, thus, prevent or delay the onset of blindness. Data from human clinical trials of gene therapy for retinal disease show encouraging signs of safety and efficacy from AAV vectors. Recent progress in enhancing cell-specific targeting and transduction efficiency of the various retinal layers plus the use of AAV-delivered growth factors to augment the therapeutic effect and limit cell death suggest even greater success in future human trials is possible.
Journal article
Transl Res
04/2013
161
241 - 254
Animals, Clinical Trials as Topic, Genetic Therapy, Genetic Vectors, Humans, Neuroprotective Agents, Promoter Regions, Genetic, Retinal Diseases