Gene Therapy and Genetic Vaccination: Two Hallmarks of Genetic Medicine

Abstract

The remarkable progress in the isolation and characterisation of new genes as well as in the understanding of gene function in health and disease has now led to direct application of genes in what is called genetic medicine. Two approaches of using genes, rather man their protein products, in the treatment or prophylaxis of disease are intensively explored. Gene therapy consists in delivering, either by ex vivo genetic modification of body cells or by direct in vivo delivery, genes whose expression will allow to exert a therapeutic effect in the patient. Gene therapy is being evaluated under the form of gene replacement therapy in patients who suffer from the lack of a functional protein. It is also used to battle cancer through genetic modification of cancer or immune cells.