Virus-free Gene Transfer Systems in Somatic Gene Therapy

Abstract

In somatic gene therapy, nucleic acid is transferred into and subsequently expressed in somatic cells (i.e. not in stem cells) in order to alter or substitute gene functions as a means of prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of patients. The nucleic acid itself is the pharmaceutical drug. For transfer of genes, viral (retro, adeno, and adenovirus-associated viruses), physical (electroporation and bioballistics), and chemical systems are utilized. Chemical and physical systems are united as nonviral systems.