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Gene Therapy-Industry Impact
Frost & Sullivan, Dec 2006, Pages: 125
This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Advances in Gene Therapy provides an overview of the current developments and advanced technologies in gene therapy, along with a complete analysis of the key market drivers, restraints, applications, and trends that are impacting this field. In this study, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine gene-delivery vehicles and technologies, vector design, DNA vaccine design, and the clinical status of product candidates.
Technologies
The following technologies are covered in this research:
-Gene-delivery vehicles and technologies
-Vector design
-DNA vaccine design
-Clinical status of product candidates
Technology Sectors
Expert analysts thoroughly examine the following technology sectors in this research:
-Clinical therapeutics
-Biotechnology
-Biopharmaceuticals
Technology Overview
Growing Popularity of DNA Vaccines Boost Advances in Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is likely to be practiced in clinics in the near future, with a number of candidates now in phase II/III trials, showing promising results. The first gene therapy products, already in late-stage clinical trials, are expected to rely on a short-term effect: for example, the killing of cancer cells through immune stimulation or induction of apoptosis (cellular suicide); or the growth of new blood vessels for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. 'An important driver for developing new vaccine technologies is the ‘genetic immunization' method of vaccine delivery, that is, DNA vaccines, which promise to be an effective tool for generating strong and long-term immune responses,' according to the analyst of the study. 'Particularly from the perspective of developing countries, a great advantage of the DNA vaccine concept is the relative ease with which it can be manufactured and the fact that it doesn’t require refrigeration.'
Some of the disorders for which gene therapies are in development, in part since they are likely to be most amenable to treatment, include hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Other approaches seek to stimulate an immune response, mediate specific cell destruction, activate a pro-drug, or produce a molecular decoy required for the replication of a virus. A number of DNA vaccines are also in clinical trials, and are likely to be developed for infectious diseases such as herpes, hepatitis, and AIDS, as well as various forms of cancer.
Growing Population and Rising Diseases Increases the Need for Vaccines, Driving Advances in Gene Therapy
Novel innovations in polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, and viral vectors, in addition to an increasing understanding of the biology of exogenous gene expression, are likely to overcome the technical obstacles. Significant advances in recombinant DNA technology and genetic engineering have improved ways of introducing new genes into cells. As a result, disease targets for gene therapy have expanded beyond traditional genetic diseases to acute disorders such as cancer, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The demand for vaccines is increasing due to the growing population and the growth in the number of diseases. A large number of vaccines under development are anticipated to make the vaccines market an interesting and dynamic one in the near future. 'Numerous clinical conditions other than infectious diseases are now being considered within the purview of vaccines,' explains the analyst. 'These include cancers, allergies, autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidaemias that lead to atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease, and even addictions such as cocaine and nicotine dependencies.'
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