Viral vectors for gene therapy

Abstract

The gene therapy is designed to introduce genetic material into an individual's cells in order to correct genes responsible for pathological features and thus to treat diseases. Thereby, the efficient delivery and the appropriate expression of therapeutic genes are fundamental requirements for the gene therapy efficiency. Accordingly, the viruses are important systems for genes transference and have been used as an excellent strategy in the treatment of monogenic and non-monogenic diseases. The viral vectors based on retroviruses, adenoviruses, adeno-associated viruses, herpesviruses and poxviruses have been studied for the treatment of monogenic diseases, including chronic granulomatous disease, X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency and adenosine deaminase deficiency, as well as non-monogenic diseases such as cancer. This study aims to explore the most relevant aspects of the use of viral vectors in gene therapy. Although they are effective in delivering genetic material, the viral vectors present risk of infection, activate host immune responses and may present oncogenic potential. Thus, for the gene therapy to be applied in the clinical routine, more studies are necessary to improve the technique, including the development of viral vectors.