Successful application of gene therapy

2002/09/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Medikuntza

Two children with a defective immune system have been cured with gene therapy. The scientists took some stem cells from the children's bone marrow and replaced the gene that had the defect with another that was okay. After four days in the cultural liquid, these cells were reincorporated into the children's pulse.

Months later, scientists found that the number of healthy immune cells in these children increased considerably. Moreover, they were given a tetanus vaccine with antibody capacity.

They are therefore very good news and a new hope in the treatment of genetic diseases in blood.