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Gene therapy a future possibility in glaucoma, clinician says
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CHICAGO — With 14 regions of the genome associated with primary open-angle glaucoma known and four genes identified, possible applications for genetics in glaucoma could include an additional therapeutic option, a clinician said here.
"Gene therapy may be a possibility in the near future as we improve the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of glaucoma," Vital Paulino Costa, MD, said at the Glaucoma Subspecialty Day preceding the joint meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Middle East Africa Council of Ophthalmology.
He said gene therapy could be administered through viral vectors, liposomes or microinjections. It could possibly address changes in gene sequence that create an abnormal protein, resulting in cell malfunction.
"Gene therapy includes the possibility of transferring genetic material to the target cell inducing gene correction, increasing gene expression, gene suppression," Dr. Costa said.
Other possible gene applications in glaucoma, genetic screening and genetic counseling, are not yet cost-effective or effective in all cases, he said.