Gene therapy for vascular disease

It is now feasible to transfer genes to blood vessels to alter vascular function. An alternative approach is to transfer genes to liver or skeletal muscle, so that the transgene releases a protein into blood, and the protein binds to blood vessels to alter vascular function. Gene therapy is being tested for treatment of diseases, such as ischemia in patient with peripheral vascular disease, which cannot be treated with medications. Common diseases, such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, also may be targets for gene therapy. Periodic intravenous injection of a vector for gene transfer has the potential for circumventing poor compliance in taking daily medications for these diseases. The key obstacle to widespread use of gene therapy is that a safe and efficient vector for delivery of genes has not yet been developed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.