RNAi Shows Promise In Gene Therapy

A biological phenomenon called RNA interference could be an effective gene therapy technique. RNAi gene therapy has been used to effectively shut down the viruses that cause hepatitis and HIV in mice. With three human RNAi gene therapy trials now under way - two in macular degeneration and one in RSV pneumonia - the technique Kay pioneered may be among the first to find widespread use for treating human diseases. "We've worked on a gene therapeutic approach against viral hepatitis for about 10 years and this is the first thing we've done that really looks promising," said Kay, professor of genetics and of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Kay talked about future uses for RNAi gene therapy Feb. 18 at the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences annual meeting in San Francisco during a session titled "RNAi for emerging pandemics and biosecurity." Whole article: "www.sciencedaily.com":[ www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070220150548.htm]

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