Gene Therapy May Play a Role in Reversing Heart Failure
In a potential breakthrough, a study has shown that failing heart muscle cells loaded with a gene called SERCA2a begin acting normal again.
Dr. Roger J. Hajjar and colleagues harvested muscle cells from 10 failed hearts removed from patients who had received heart transplants. The team injected these heart cells with a virus (vector) carrying the gene that makes SERCA2a, allowing the gene to become part of the cell's genetic code. Within 24 hours the gene induced overproduction of SERCA2a allowing the failed heart cells to begin beating and contracting at levels similar to those seen in normal hearts.
These results support the premise that gene-based therapies may offer a new modality for treating heart failure. However, further research should be conducted to see if improving the ability of cells to contract could lead to an improvement in symptoms and increased rates of survival for patients with heart failure.
Source: Journal of the American Heart Association 1999;2308-2311.
