Gene Therapy in Peripheral Artery Disease

G.      Melillo; F.      Serino; C.      Cirielli; M.   C.   Capogrossi

Abstract

In the last decade, studies of the biological mechanisms underlying angiogenesis, i.e. the development of a new vasculature from pre-existing blood vessels, have suggested a new approach to peripheral obstructive artery disease based on the treatment of ischemic tissues with angiogenic growth factors. As demonstrated by experimental studies in animal models, a therapeutic effect can be reached as the newly formed vascular network, functioning as a biologic by-pass, restores a normal blood supply to the ischemic territories. New techniques of gene therapy proved effective in reaching sustained concentrations of angiogenic factors in the target tissues. This review concerns the pre-clinical background and the results of the early clinical trials of angiogenic gene therapy, which have shown the safety and feasibility of this new approach.

Keywords: angiogenesis, gene therapy, growth factors, peripheral arterial obstructive disease, clinical trial

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