To The Editor:
Betz et al (1) have described percutaneous injection of
adenovirus tagged with cDNA as a delivery method for gene
therapy. We would point out that gene therapy using percutaneous injection has some
disadvantages such as rapid efflux of the virus particle from the
lesional site leading to low therapeutic concentrations.
Isolated limb perfusion (ILP)has been presented as a method of gene delivery for
extremity sarcomas (2). It is a proven concept, and it might prove useful in treating
bone defects as well.
Since the bone defect model is in the appendicular skeleton
(as opposed to axial skeleton),the effectivenss of ILP as a gene delivery vehicle might be evaluated by creation of bone defects and administration of ILP with one incision, and under a single general anesthetic.
This method of gene delivery is routinely practised in our department for treating sarcomas of the extrmities and extending its use to treating bone defects may be
interesting.
REFERENCES:
1.Oliver B. Betz, Volker M. Betz, Ara Nazarian, Carmencita G. Pilapil, Mark S. Vrahas, Mary L. Bouxsein, Louis C. Gerstenfeld, Thomas A. Einhorn, and Christopher H. Evans
Direct Percutaneous Gene Delivery to Enhance Healing of Segmental Bone Defects
J Bone Joint Surg Am 2006; 88: 355-365.
2. Eggermont AM, de Wilt JH, ten Hagen TL.Current uses of isolated
limb perfusion in the clinic and a model system for new strategies. Lancet
Oncol. 2003 Jul;4(7):429-37
Letters to the Editor: ![[Read Letter to the Editor]](/icons/misc/sectionDOWN.gif){kind=icon}
