Delivering gene therapy for mucopolysaccharide diseases
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Published on: August 10, 2018
Shaun R Wood1, Brian W Bigger1
1Stem Cell and Neurotherapies Group, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Insights
Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are inherited diseases causing GAG buildup. Gene therapy offers a promising new treatment strategy for these severe pediatric conditions, addressing limitations of current therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are inherited lysosomal storage diseases in children.
- Enzyme deficiencies lead to glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation, causing multisystemic symptoms and reduced lifespan.
- Current treatments like enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) have limitations, especially for neurological aspects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review emerging gene therapy and gene-editing approaches for MPS.
- To discuss the potential of these novel strategies in overcoming current treatment challenges.
Main Methods:
- Review of pre-clinical and clinical research on gene therapy vectors for MPS.
- Analysis of gene-editing technologies being developed for MPS treatment.
Main Results:
- Gene therapy is an emerging strategy for MPS treatment.
- Various vectors and gene-editing approaches are under development.
- These novel therapies aim to improve efficacy, particularly for neurological symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Gene therapy and gene editing represent promising therapeutic avenues for MPS.
- Further research and clinical development are crucial to realize the full potential of these strategies for improving patient outcomes.
Abstract:
Mucopolysaccharide diseases are a group of paediatric inherited lysosomal storage diseases that are caused by enzyme deficiencies, leading to a build-up of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) throughout the body. Patients have severely shortened lifespans with a wide range of symptoms including inflammation, bone and joint, cardiac, respiratory and neurological disease. Current treatment approaches for MPS disorders revolve around two main strategies. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is efficacious in treating somatic symptoms but its effect is limited for neurological functions. Haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) has the potential to cross the BBB through monocyte trafficking, however delivered enzyme doses limit its use almost exclusively to MPSI Hurler. Gene therapy is an emerging therapeutic strategy for the treatment of MPS disease. In this review, we will discuss the various vectors that are being utilised for gene therapy in MPS as well as some of the most recent gene-editing approaches undergoing pre-clinical and clinical development.
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