[Gene therapy in cardiovascular medicine as new pharmacological therapy]

Gene therapy is emerging as a potential strategy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, for which no known effective therapy exists. The first human trial in cardiovascular disease was started in 1994 to treat peripheral vascular disease using VEGF. Since then, at least 5 different potent angiogenic growth factors has been tested in clinical trials to treat peripheral arterial disease. In addition, therapeutic angiogenesis using VEGF gene was applied to treat ischemic heart disease. Results from these clinical trials seems to be more than expected. Improvement of clinical symptoms in peripheral arterial disease or ischemic heart disease has been reported. In this review, we have focused on the future potential of gene therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease as a new pharmacological therapy.