Gene Therapy Progress and Prospects: Electroporation and other physical methods

Abstract

Over the last 5 years, physical methods of plasmid delivery have revolutionized the efficiency of nonviral gene transfer, in some cases reaching the efficiencies of viral vectors. In vivo electroporation dramatically increases transfection efficiency for a variety of tissues. Other methods with clinical precedent, pressure-perfusion and ultrasound, also improve plasmid gene transfer. Alternatives such as focused laser, magnetic fields and ballistic (gene gun) approaches can also enhance delivery. As plasmid DNA appears to be a safe gene vector system, it seems likely that plasmid with physically enhanced delivery will be used increasingly in clinical trials.

Local and systemic antitumor effect of intratumoral and peritumoral IL-12 electrogene therapy on murine sarcoma

“…Furthermore, transfection efficiency close to those of viral vectors can be achieved, which is its main advantage compared to other nonviral gene delivery methods. 38 The goal of our study was to evaluate the antitumor effectiveness of IL-12 EGT, applied either intratumorally or intradermally into the peritumoral region in the treatment of sarcoma tumors. The majority of research on the antitumor effect of intratumoral EGT with IL-12 was done on a melanoma tumor model and a number of different carcinomas, even progressing to human clinical trials.…”

Spatially, Temporally, and Quantitatively Controlled Delivery of Broad Range of Molecules into Selected Cells through Plasmonic Nanotubes

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Broadly speaking, current methods can be divided into two main categories: "chemical methods," in which biomolecules recognized by the membrane are used in a Trojan-horse strategy that promotes a spontaneous uptake into the cell; and "physical methods," in which micropipettes or electrodes are used to transiently breach the membrane (microinjection and electroporation). Despite the general effectiveness of these methods, there are numerous limitations.…”

In vivo gene silencing in solid tumors by targeted electrically mediated siRNA delivery

“…25 In vivo, EP have been extensively used for drug and plasmid delivery in a large number of organs and tissues. [26][27][28] In addition, the delivery of molecules can be restricted to the volume where the electric field is generated. Also, very few side effects have been reported for these treatments thus emphasizing the inocuity of this physical method for clinical use and different projects attempting to develop electrochimiotherapy and electrogenotherapy (EGT) to enhance delivery of drugs and nucleic acids, respectively, are currently underway (e.g.…”