[thedoc (OP)]

Can gene or stem cell therapy be used in the treatment of immune disorders such as Common Variable Immune Disorder / Primary Immune Disorder? Thanks
Asked by Belinda O'Keeffe


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[chapter podcast=3712 track=11.10.30/Naked_Scientists_Show_11.10.30_9247.mp3]  ...or Listen to the Answer[/chapter] or [download as MP3]

[thedoc (OP)]

We answered this question on the show...



We posed this question to Professor Adrian Thrasher from Great Ormand Street Hospital and University College London...
Adrian -   Yes, that's certainly the case.  Interestingly, the primary immune deficiencies have been one of the key disorders that has taught us proof of principle that we can successfully treat patients by gene therapy, 40 years back now by bone marrow transplantation.  As we uncover the genetic mistakes that underlie these disorders, of course, we can apply the technologies to treat them.  So common variable immunodeficiency is one of those disorders although we only understand genetic cause for about 10% of them.  So over the next few years we will be able to apply genetic technologies, I'm sure.