[Problems of gene transfer to human airway in the patients with respiratory diseases]

Clinical application of adenovirus-mediated or liposome-mediated gene transfer to human airway has started and the preliminary reports of cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR) gene transfer to CF patients are now available. These data showed that the duration and intensity of expression of transgene in human airway or alveoli was transient and weak. In addition, adenovirus-mediated gene transfer is suffered from immunity or nonspecific obstacles. In this sense, liposome-mediated gene transfer to airway will be hopeful but still uncertain. We have to follow all clinical reports about the gene delivery to human airways including second generation virus vectors, such as adenoassociated virus and herpes simplex virus.