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Gene Therapy for Immune Disorder Lasts Nine Years, Two New Studies Show
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-...er-lasts-nine-years-two-new-studies-show.html
In gene therapy, scientists replace non-functioning genes with normal ones using a carrier molecule such as a virus; repair abnormal DNA; or alter how the DNA works.
What we knew from earlier was that the immune system could be restored, but we werent clear on how that would be sustained over time, Adrian Thrasher, an immunologist at the University College London involved in the research, said in a telephone interview. Now we know it is sustained, and the long-term recovery appears to be comparable to conventional transplant.
Another round of trials will begin shortly, Kohn said. In those trials, researchers have changed the viruses used to insert the new DNA. The researchers are hoping for the same benefits with fewer risks, he said.