Gene therapy for intracranial aneurysms: systemic review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Oncology
• Genetics

Background:

• Intracranial aneurysms pose treatment challenges, with some cases unresponsive to current surgical and endovascular methods.
• Low-frequency somatic variants in cancer-related genes are implicated in intracranial aneurysm development.
• Mutations in the PDGFRB gene activate ERK and NF-κB signaling, offering therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of low-frequency somatic variants in oncogenes and other genes in aneurysm pathogenesis.
• To explore gene therapy applications for intracranial aneurysms, focusing on endovascular delivery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on somatic variants and intracranial aneurysms.
• Analysis of molecular pathways, including ERK and NF-κB signaling.
• Discussion of targeted therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors and gene therapy.

Main Results:

• Somatic variants in cancer-related genes contribute to aneurysm formation.
• PDGFRB mutations exemplify how genetic alterations activate key signaling pathways.
• Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and gene therapy represent potential novel treatment strategies.

Conclusions:

• Targeting specific molecular pathways offers a promising avenue for treating intracranial aneurysms.
• Gene therapy, particularly endovascular in situ delivery, holds potential for difficult-to-treat aneurysms.
• Further research into somatic variants and targeted therapies could revolutionize aneurysm treatment.