[Gene therapy for AIDS: current trends]

Genetic manipulation of somatic cells may be of therapeutic value in a variety of infectious diseases, particularly in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Stable insertion of "resistance genes" into cells, susceptible to HIV, could reduce the viral burden in infected individuals and potentially retard the characteristic progressive immune dysfunction. Alternatively, ectopic expression of genes that encode viral antigens, might induce potent antiviral immune responses and form the basis for novel prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. While laboratory studies have proved that the approach works in principle, preclinical and clinical studies will be necessary to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of such gene-based therapies. Currently, more than 400 patients have already been treated by this innovative therapeutic strategy in the US. In Japan, the Expert Committee on Gene therapy was set up in the council on Science and the Public Health and Welfare in 1991. Recently, gene therapy for ADA has been approved. It is thought that the first gene therapy against HIV infection in Japan is not far away.