Abstract
DNA as therapeutics; an update
1 Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, RIICO Institutional Area, Sitapura, Jaipur-302 022, India 2 Jaipur Fertility and Microsurgery Research Center, Bani Park, Jaipur-302 016, India 3 Department of Pharmacy, Jodhpur National University, Narnadi, Jhanwar Road, Jodhpur-342 001, India 4 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, L. M. College of Science and Technology, Shastri Nagar, Jodhpur-342 003, India
Correspondence Address:
P Saraswat Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, RIICO Institutional Area, Sitapura, Jaipur-302 022 India saraswatmgmch@rediffmail.com
Human gene therapy is the introduction of new genetic material into the cells of an individual with the intention of producing a therapeutic benefit for the patient. Deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid are used in gene therapy. Over time and with proper oversight, human gene therapy might become an effective weapon in modern medicine's arsenal to help fight diseases such as cancer, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, cystic fibrosis, hemophilia and other genetic disorders. Gene therapy trials in humans are of two types, somatic and germ line gene therapy. There are many ethical, social, and commercial issues raised by the prospects of treating patients whose consent is impossible to obtain. This review summarizes deoxyribonucleic acid-based therapeutics and gene transfer technologies for the diseases that are known to be genetic in origin. Deoxyribonucleic acid-based therapeutics includes plasmids, oligonucleotides for antisense and antigene applications, deoxyribonucleic acid aptamers and deoxyribonucleic acidzymes. This review also includes current status of gene therapy and recent developments in gene therapy research.