Gene Editing for Haemophilia-The Next Frontier

The recently approved haemophilia A and B gene therapies via adeno-associated virus (AAV) showed a promising therapeutic response after a single injection, but there are still limitations, including the potential loss of transgene expression and restriction in adults. Conversely, genome editing by precise gene correction or targeted transgene insertion could be translated to children and even neonates. Pioneer studies with Zinc-Finger nucleases (ZFN) driving homologous directed repair (HDR) established the proof of concept for in vivo targeted integration. The advent of the much more versatile CRISPR-Cas9 technology boosted research in the haemophilia field, and preclinical data demonstrated that targeted gene insertion of the F8/F9 coding sequence, can represent a durable therapy both in adults and neonates. Although with modest efficiency, the effect can be boosted by exploitation of the hyperactive FIX^Padua and/or integration at a "smart" target locus of a highly expressed liver-specific gene such as Albumin (Phase 1/2 trial). Moreover, targeted insertion has been achieved at the CCR5 locus to insert the FIX^Padua via HDR in B lymphocytes, and this promising ex-vivo gene therapy entered a Phase 1/2 trial. Base and prime editors have also been successfully exploited in cellular models to precisely correct gene defects but their translational potential is limited by the many diverse haemophilia-causing genetic variants that need to be addressed. As these technologies mature, rigorous long-term follow-up and safety monitoring will be essential to offer patients a definitive cure for haemophilia.